The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a big change in the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule, as per which, Sri Lanka could play the first semi-final in Colombo if they qualify and aren’t drawn against India.
According to ESPNCricinfo, a communication sent by the apex body to stakeholders after the Super 8s line-up was finalized, semi-final 1 does not have a fixed venue. Instead, it is described as a ‘floating’ fixture that could take place either in Colombo or Kolkata.
“Semi-final 1 is a floating arrangement with the match to be held in either Colombo or Kolkata. If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo on 4 March,” the communication stated.
“If Pakistan do not qualify for the semi-finals, but Sri Lanka do qualify and play anyone other than India, then Sri Lanka will play in semi-final 1 in Colombo,” it added.
The ICC also confirmed that if neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka make it to the final-four round, semi-final 1 will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while the second semi-final will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India’s semi-final venue is also fixed. If the defending champions qualify, they will play in Mumbai regardless of the opponent — unless they face Pakistan, in which case that knockout fixture will be moved to Colombo.
If none of India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka reach the semi-finals, then the top team from Group 1 in the Super 8s will face the second-placed team from Group 2 in Kolkata, while the Group 2 winners will meet the Group 1 runners-up in Mumbai, as planned.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are both placed in Group 2 of the Super 8s, so there is no chance these two teams will meet in the semi-final.
The original schedule, announced last November, didn’t explicitly specify a scenario by which Sri Lanka can play a home semi-final.
The ICC release at that time had stated, “If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium will replace Kolkata as the host of Semi-Final 1. Should Pakistan reach the final, that venue will also shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo. If India and Pakistan meet in the semi-finals, that match will be staged in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 involving India if they face any team other than Pakistan."
