SUPER 8
Eight nations. Two groups. One destination. The Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup is live — hosted across India and Sri Lanka. The path to glory narrows here.
FORMAT EXPLAINED
What Is the Super 8?
The Super 8 is the electrifying knockout crucible of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — the stage where 20 competing nations are cut down to just eight elite sides. Replacing the older Super 12 format, the Super 8 sharpens every contest into a must-win proposition with no margin for error.
After the group stage, the top two teams from each of the four groups advance. The eight survivors are then split into two groups of four. They contest a round-robin within their group — all points and NRR from the first round reset to zero. Only the top two teams from each Super 8 group progress to the semi-finals, putting them within two wins of lifting the trophy.
The format is raw, relentless, and ruthless. Every delivery matters. Every run counts. No second chances.
2026 QUALIFIERS
The Super 8 Teams
Top 2 from each of 4 groups · Points & NRR reset at Super 8 · All teams also qualify for T20 WC 2028
THE DRAW
Super 8 Groups
Top 2 from each group advance to Semi-finals · Feb 21 – Mar 1, 2026
- 🇮🇳 India DEFENDING CHAMP
- 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe SURPRISE QUALIFIER
- 🌴 West Indies 2-TIME CHAMP
- 🇿🇦 South Africa 2024 RUNNERS-UP
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan LAST TO QUALIFY
- 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka CO-HOST
- 🏴 England 2022 CHAMP
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand BLACKCAPS
GROUP STAGE SHOCKS
Who Didn’t Make It?
The 2026 group stage produced one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history — Australia, the 2021 champions, crashed out after defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Their early exit left a massive void in Group 1 and rocked the tournament.
Defending group favourites Afghanistan were knocked out of Group D — a tight group that also eliminated UAE and Canada. Nepal, the first team eliminated, failed to win any of their first three games.
SUPER 8 FIXTURES
Match Schedule
Feb 21 – Mar 1, 2026 · All times local
| Match | Teams | Group | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 41 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Group 2 | Colombo, SL |
| Match 42 | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka vs 🏴 England | Group 2 | Colombo, SL |
| Match 43 | 🇮🇳 India vs 🇿🇦 South Africa | Group 1 | India |
| Match 44 | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe vs 🌴 West Indies | Group 1 | India |
| Match 45 | 🏴 England vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Group 2 | Colombo, SL |
| Match 46 | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Group 2 | Colombo, SL |
| Match 47 | 🌴 West Indies vs 🇿🇦 South Africa | Group 1 | India |
| Match 48 | 🇮🇳 India vs 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | Group 1 | India |
| Match 49 | 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🏴 England | Group 2 | Colombo, SL |
| Match 50 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan vs 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Group 2 | Colombo, SL |
| Match 51 | 🇿🇦 South Africa vs 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | Group 1 | India |
| Match 52 | 🌴 West Indies vs 🇮🇳 India | Group 1 | India |
KEY STORYLINES
Talking Points
India’s Title Defence
The defending champions enter the Super 8 unbeaten, including a comprehensive 61-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan. Suryakumar Yadav’s side are the clear favourites, but history shows the Super 8 can humble anyone.
Zimbabwe’s Miracle Run
The biggest story of the 2026 group stage — Zimbabwe eliminated Australia to reach the Super 8 for the first time in recent memory. Now they face India, West Indies, and South Africa. Can they pull off more miracles?
The Rematch: India vs SA
The opening Super 8 fixture for Group 1 is a rematch of the thrilling 2024 T20 World Cup final. India edged that one out. South Africa will be hungry for revenge in what promises to be an instant classic.
West Indies at Home in India
The two-time T20 World Cup champions arrived in form — 3 wins from 3 in the group stage — with powerful batting led by Sherfane Rutherford and lethal pace from Romario Shepherd. They look dangerous.
Group 2’s “Death Group”
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand in Group 2 is arguably the most competitive pool in the Super 8. All four teams are capable of reaching the semis on any given day — expect chaos in Colombo.
Australia’s Shocking Exit
The 2021 champions fell to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and crashed out in the group stage — a seismic result. Their absence leaves a vacuum in the tournament and reshapes the entire Super 8 dynamics for Group 1.
“In the Super 8, there are no easy games — only harder ones.”
— THE SPIRIT OF T20 CRICKET · 2026
