Sri Lanka could play a home semi-final at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup if they qualify for the last four, following a clarification issued by the International Cricket Council, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, under revised logistical arrangements communicated to stakeholders after the Super Eight line-ups were finalised, Semi-final 1 has been designated as a floating fixture to be staged either in Colombo or in Kolkata.
If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play Semi-final 1 in Colombo on 4 March. However, if Pakistan fail to qualify but Sri Lanka progress and are drawn against any team other than India, the match will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
The ICC further clarified that if neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka reaches the semi-finals, Semi-final 1 will take place in Kolkata and Semi-final 2 in Mumbai. India, should they advance, will play their semi-final in Mumbai irrespective of the opponent, unless they are paired with Pakistan, in which case the match will be shifted to Colombo.
If none of India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka qualify, the winner of Group 1 in the Super Eight will meet the runner-up of Group 2 in Kolkata, while the Group 2 winner will face the Group 1 runner-up in Mumbai.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan, both placed in Group 2 of the Super Eight, cannot meet in the semi-finals under the current structure.
The clarification marks a notable adjustment to the tournament schedule announced in November, which had outlined contingency plans for Pakistan’s progression but did not specify what would occur if Sri Lanka reached the knockout stage.