ICC releases World T20 schedule

Sri Lanka are the reigning World T20 Champions

India were placed in Group 2 along with Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and winner of Group A in the ICC World T20 draw announced by ICC, which will be held across eight venues in India starting from March 8.

Defending champions Sri Lanka were placed in Group 1 along with South Africa, West Indies, England and winner of Group B. The eight venues for the tournament will be Bengaluru, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi.

New Delhi and Mumbai will be the hosts for the semi-finals, which will take place on 30 and 31 March, while the final will be held in Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 3, with a reserve day in place for the final.

India, who will be hosting the World T20 for the first time, will begin their campaign against New Zealand in Nagpur on March 15, before facing Pakistan in Dharamsala on March 19. Their last two matches will be against Group A winner in Bengaluru on March 23 and against Australia in Mohali four days later.

Sri Lanka, led by Lasith Malinga will begin their title defence against Group B winner in Kolkata on March 17, before playing West Indies in Bengaluru on March 20. Their final two group matches will be against England and South Africa on March 26 and 28, both in New Delhi.

Pakistan, who won the tournament in 2009, will begin their World T20 in Kolkata where they take on the Group A winner on March 16, before it’s clash with bitter-rivals India three days later. Their last two matches are against New Zealand and Australia on March 22 and 25, both in Mohali.

2010 winners England will begin with a match against 2012 champions West Indies in Mumbai on March 16, before taking on the Proteas two days later at the same venue. Their final two matches, which are both in New Delhi, will be against the Group B winner and Sri Lanka on March 23 and 26.

The men’s World Cup will also feature a qualifier in which 8 teams, split into two groups of four, will be fighting it out to top the group and enter the Super 10 stage.

Group A will feature Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman, with the winner joining India’s group, whereas Group B will see Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan battle for top spot to feature in Sri Lanka’s group.

The top two sides from the Super 10 Groups qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Qualifier (group winners progress to Super 10)

Group A – Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman

Group B – Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan

Super 10 groups

Super 10 Group 1 – Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England and winner group B

Super 10 Group 2 – India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and winner group A