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The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins in a couple of days. Marred with controversial off-field antics, the spectators would expect that when the cricket actually starts, we will shift our focus to the good things. The things that pull us in, rather than push us away.
The 10th edition of the T20 extravaganza is slated to begin in India and Sri Lanka. This year as well, the format of the 2024 edition will be followed. Five teams are divided into groups of four, with the top two from each group heading to the Super 8’s.
Group A consists of Pakistan, India, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Namibia. In light of Pakistan’s refusal to play against India, let’s see what the cricketing fans can expect from the teams in this group. Presenting to you, the Group A preview
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 – Group A
Pakistan
T20 Ranking: 6th
Best Result: Champions in 2009
What to Expect: Qualify for the semi-finals
Overview:
The Pakistan Cricket team head into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in search of their first ICC trophy since 2017. This time around, they head into the tournament with momentum on their side.
The spinners wreaked havoc against a well-drilled Australian side in Lahore; the top order was amongst runs, and the all-rounders are finishing the innings on a high.
Agha Salman seems to have found his correct position ahead of the tournament. He strikes at 168 at no.3, and in the Australia series, his ability to find gaps in the powerplay will make him an important cog in the batting lineup.
The Fakhar Zaman-Babar Azam conundrum in the middle order remains, with the latter not even having a place until the Asia Cup, seems all set to slot into the middle order.
It will be interesting to see how Pakistan will utilise Khawaja Nafay and Usman Tariq, both of whom have impressed in each of their outings so far.
The player to watch out for will be Saim Ayub, the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC rankings. His ability to outfox batsmen with his guile and cleverness makes him a vital asset to the Shaheens. The Southpaw will also be expected to attack from the word go, along with Sahibzada Farhan, to get off to blazing starts.
Top-Ranked Batsman: Sahibzada Farhan – 7th
Top-Ranked Bowler: Abrar Ahmed – 2nd
Top-Ranked All-Rounder: Saim Ayub – 1st
Schedule:
India
T20 Ranking: 1st
Best Result: Champions in 2017 and 2024
What to Expect: Qualify for the final
Overview:
Any sane cricketing fan would agree that the Indian cricket team has revolutionised the T20 game. The IPL has done them a world of good, and they have at their disposal a large talent pool.
From going after the bowlers from ball 1, scoring 250+ scores on a regular basis, to pace hitters and spin bashers, India will be the team to beat and arguably are the favourites to lift the cup for the second consecutive year.
Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma are expected to be merciless against the bowlers, especially in the powerplay. Followed by captain Suryakumar Yadav, who seems to have regained his form after a poor 2025.
Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel can not just provide them overs with the ball, but also take the game away from the opposition at the death.
Despite Jasprit Bumrah going for runs in the recently concluded New Zealand and South Africa T20 series, one cannot count out the 2024 player of the tournament this time around.
Top-Ranked Batsman: Abhishek Sharma – 1st
Top-Ranked Bowler: Varun Chakaravarthy – 1st
Top-Ranked All-Rounder: Hardik Pandya – 3rd
Schedule:
- 7th February – vs USA
- 12th February – vs Namibia
- 15th February – vs Pakistan (subject to government approval)
- 18th February – vs Netherlands
Namibia
T20 Ranking: 15th
Best Result: Super 12s in 2021
What to Expect: Will not qualify.
Overview:
Representing Africa in this group will be Namibia. The runners-up in the African qualifiers in 2025, Namibia, have made regular appearances in the last three editions of the competition, winning 5 out of a combined 15 games.
They recently shocked the cricketing world after causing an upset in a 4-wicket win against South Africa in October 2025. Adding to the list of positives is the fact that Namibia successfully co-hosted the U-19 World Cup along with Zimbabwe and is confirmed to co-host the 2027 World Cup as well.
Nine members from the squad which took part in 2024 are in the mix yet again, with Gerhard Erasmus leading them from the front.
Namibia have never played an international match in either India or Sri Lanka – boxes they will be ticking off this time around. With Gary Kirsten appointed as a consultant, the Namibian lineup will rub shoulders against some of the world’s best and will be eager to leave a mark on this tournament.
Top-Ranked Batsman: Gerhard Erasmus – 85th
Top-Ranked Bowler: Bernard Scholtz – 85th
Top-Ranked All-Rounder: Gerhard Erasmus – 17th
Schedule:
- 10th February – vs Netherlands
- 12th February – vs India
- 15th February – vs USA
- 18th February – vs Pakistan
United States of America
T20 Ranking: 18th
Best Result: Super 8s in 2024
What to Expect: Will not qualify.
Overview:
The USA has been making rapid strides in the world of cricket and is all set to enter the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, marking their second consecutive appearance.
Their win against Pakistan in 2024 will forever be etched in history, and now it is time for the USA’s golden generation to step out of the fringes of international cricket.
Thanks to the exposure to the ever-growing world of T20 leagues, the SA are well-stocked and have experienced campaigners in all key disciplines, which is a rarity for associate nations.
Andries Gous and captain Monank Patel will be tasked with providing stability and playing attacking cricket at the top of the order. The most notable absentee is Aaron Jones, who was provisionally suspended from all cricket after being charged under the anti-corruption code.
The rest of the batting order will comprise Shayan Jahngir, Shubham Ranjane, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Saiteja Mukkamalla, while Ali Khan and Saurabh Netravalkar are expected to lead the pace attack.
USA scored 200 in the warm-up match against India-A and will look to take inspiration from last year’s tournament and cause upsets.
Top-Ranked Batsman: Saiteja Mukkamalla – 24th
Top-Ranked Bowler: Harmeet Singh – 49th
Top-Ranked All-Rounder: Harmeet Singh – 44th
Schedule:
- 7th February – vs India
- 10th February – vs Pakistan
- 13th February – vs Netherlands
- 15th February – vs Namibia
Netherlands
T20 Ranking: 13th
Best Result: Super 10s in 2014
What to Expect: Will not qualify.
Overview:
The Netherlands enter their sixth T20 World Cup, having not missed a single edition since 2012.
In 2024, the Oranje finished 3rd in the group stage, earning a win against Nepal and running South Africa close while defending 104
Their first-choice players have made a return to the side, after domestic commitments kept them out of the team for much of the northern summer.
In a tournament hosted in the sub-continet, the Netherlands made some bold selections, opting for a pace-heavy attack – four pacers – and just veteran Roelof Van der Merwe and Aryan Dutt in the spin department.
Even though they have a couple of part-time spinners in the squad, it will be interesting to see how the Oranje will fare, with their matches being played in Colombo, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad.
Anything less than a Super 8 finish and ensuring qualification for the 2028 edition feels like a loss, however valiant, considering it is arithmetically impossible for them to bridge the gap between them and Zimbabwe, placed 12th in the ranking.
Top-Ranked Batsman: Michael Levitt – 33rd
Top-Ranked Bowler: Aryan Dutt – 57th
Top-Ranked All-Rounder: Bas De Leede – 41st
Schedule:
- 7th February – vs Pakistan
- 10th February – vs Namibia
- 13th February – vs USA
- 15th February – vs India
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