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The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has entered its Super 8 stage, following the elimination of the United States after a strong showing in the group phase. Eight teams remain in contention for the championship, with matches currently underway across India and Sri Lanka. The tournament, co-hosted by these two nations, is drawing significant attention as teams battle for a place in the semifinals and the title.
The Super 8 round sees teams divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing. India, as one of the host nations, is currently favored to win the tournament, according to betting markets, while Pakistan’s recent victory over Ireland secured their place in the second round. The competition is fierce, and upsets are always possible as the stakes increase.
The first match of the Super 8 stage, Latest Zealand versus Pakistan, was unfortunately abandoned due to rain on Saturday, February 21st, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This result impacts the points standings and adds further complexity to the qualification scenarios.
Super 8 Groups and Schedule
The eight remaining teams have been split into two groups, each playing a round-robin format. Here’s a breakdown of the groups and the upcoming schedule (all times Eastern):
- Group 1: India, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe
- Group 2: England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Here’s a look at the schedule:
- Sunday, February 22: Sri Lanka vs. England, 4:30 a.m., at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy, Sri Lanka). India vs. South Africa, 8:30 a.m., at Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad, India)
- Monday, February 23: Zimbabwe vs. West Indies, 8:30 a.m., Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai, India)
- Tuesday, February 24: England vs. Pakistan, 8:30 a.m., at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy, Sri Lanka)
- Wednesday, February 25: Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand, 8:30 a.m., R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
- Thursday, February 26: West Indies vs. South Africa, 4:30 a.m., at Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad, India); India vs Zimbabwe, 8:30 a.m., MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai, India)
- Friday, February 27: England vs. New Zealand, 8:30 a.m., R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
- Saturday, February 28: Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan, 8:30 a.m., Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy, Sri Lanka)
- Sunday, March 1: Zimbabwe vs. South Africa, 4:30 a.m., Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi, India); India vs. West Indies, 8:30 a.m., Eden Gardens (Kolkata, India)
Betting Odds Favor India
According to BetMGM, as of Saturday, February 21st, India remains the frontrunner to win the 2026 T20 World Cup, with odds of +110. South Africa follows closely behind at +400, having improved their position since the start of the tournament. England is currently at +600, while New Zealand and Pakistan are at +800 and +1000 respectively. Sri Lanka, the other host nation, is sixth with +1200 odds. The West Indies and Zimbabwe are considered long shots, with odds of +1600 and +6600, respectively. Australia, which was tied with England at +500 odds at the tournament’s beginning, did not advance to the Super 8 stage.
Here’s a full look at the current odds:
- India: +110
- South Africa: +400
- England: +600
- New Zealand: +800
- Pakistan: +1000
- Sri Lanka: +1200
- West Indies: +1600
- Zimbabwe: +6600
Semifinal and Final Schedule
The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th, and Thursday, March 5th, with the second semifinal taking place at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India. The championship game is set for Sunday, March 8th, at a location yet to be determined. The location for the first semifinal remains to be determined as well.
As the Super 8 stage unfolds, the competition is expected to intensify, with each match carrying significant weight. Fans can anticipate thrilling contests and potential upsets as the remaining teams vie for a spot in the semifinals and the chance to lift the coveted T20 World Cup trophy. The coming weeks promise exciting cricket action for fans worldwide.
What are your predictions for the remainder of the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow cricket enthusiasts!
