The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches began on Sunday, February 2, across India and Sri Lanka, featuring three high-scoring encounters. Afghanistan, India 'A', and Italy secured victories on the opening day, setting an energetic tone for the upcoming tournament. These preparatory games, crucial for team readiness, will continue until February 6 before the main event officially starts on February 7.[icc-cricket+2]
Afghanistan Dominates Scotland in Bengaluru
Afghanistan delivered a strong performance against Scotland at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru, clinching a 61-run win.Afghanistan posted a challenging total of 184 for six in their 20 overs.Star batter Darwish Rasooli was the standout performer, smashing 84 runs from just 46 balls before retiring out.His innings included impressive boundaries and aggressive hitting, giving Afghanistan a solid foundation.[icc-cricket+7]
Scotland's chase fell short, as they were bowled out for 123 runs in 19.3 overs.Afghanistan's bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings. Azmatullah Omarzai led the bowling attack, taking three wickets for a mere 14 runs in his spell.This commanding victory provides a significant confidence boost for Afghanistan as they fine-tune their strategies for the main tournament. Scotland, a consistent presence in T20 World Cups, will look to regroup and improve in their subsequent warm-up fixtures.[icc-cricket+2]
India 'A' Outperforms USA in Navi Mumbai
In Navi Mumbai, India 'A' showcased their formidable batting depth, defeating the United States of America by 38 runs at the DY Patil Stadium.India 'A' set a massive target, scoring 238 for three in their allotted 20 overs.The innings was highlighted by a brilliant century from Narayan Jagadeesan, who scored 104 runs off just 55 deliveries.This powerful display demonstrated the strong talent pipeline within Indian cricket.[icc-cricket+6]
The USA team, participating in their first T20 World Cup, put up a spirited fight in response.They managed to score 200 runs before being bowled out in 19.4 overs.Andries Gous was a notable contributor for the USA, scoring 44 runs from 31 balls.However, India 'A's bowlers held their nerve, with Ravi Bishnoi picking up three wickets for 37 runs to seal the win.The USA's ability to reach 200 runs against a strong Indian 'A' side indicates their potential, despite the loss. This warm-up offers valuable experience for the American squad ahead of their World Cup debut.[aljazeera+6]
Italy Secures Close Victory Against Canada in Chennai
The tightest contest of Day 1 saw Italy edge out Canada by 10 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Italy posted a competitive total of 156 for four in their 20 overs.JJ Smuts was the top scorer for Italy, contributing a crucial 49 runs.This performance highlights Italy's growing presence in international cricket, having qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time.[icc-cricket+8]
Canada, in their chase, managed to score 146 for six, falling just short of the target.Dilpreet Bajwa was a key bowler for Canada, taking one wicket for 24 runs.The close nature of the match underscores the competitive spirit among the associate nations. Italy's victory demonstrates their capability to compete at this level and provides an important morale boost. Coach Kevin O'Brien has expressed confidence in his experienced squad's ability to perform well in the main tournament.[icc-cricket+3]
Warm-up Schedule and Tournament Overview
These three matches were among 16 warm-up games scheduled from February 2 to February 6.A total of 18 teams participating in the World Cup, along with India 'A' and Sri Lanka 'A' teams, are taking part in these preparatory fixtures.The matches are spread across four cities in the co-host nations: Bengaluru, Navi Mumbai, and Chennai in India, and Colombo in Sri Lanka.These games offer crucial opportunities for teams to finalize their squad combinations and adapt to local conditions.[icc-cricket+5]
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the tenth edition of the tournament, is set to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026.India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the event, which will feature 20 participating teams playing a total of 55 matches.The tournament format includes a group stage, followed by Super 8s, and then the knockout stage.Tickets for various matches are available for purchase online and at venue box offices, with sales having commenced in phases since December 2025.Fans can also watch selected matches live on various broadcast platforms globally, including Star Sports and Jio Hotstar in India, and Sky Sports in the UK.Video highlights will be available across ICC digital channels for all games.[en+10]
Day 1 of the warm-up matches showcased exciting cricket and offered a glimpse into the preparations for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup. Teams will continue to hone their skills and strategies in the coming days before the global tournament officially begins.
