(Image source from: AFP)

India is ready to co-host the Men's T20 World Cup 2026 together with Sri Lanka. Similar to the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, Pakistan will not be coming to India because of political issues between the two countries, and they will play all their games in Sri Lanka. The T20 tournament is expected to take place around March and April of next year. Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has submitted a tentative schedule for the event to the ICC. Another important update is that there is a plan for five cities, with all games planned to occur in major cities. The final match will probably be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It is important to mention that Ahmedabad has hosted many IPL finals and also the final of the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup.

For Pakistan, the ICC is working on confirming one city in Sri Lanka for all their games. Earlier on Wednesday, the ICC announced penalties for Indian and Pakistani players due to the controversial actions that happened during their matches in the Asia Cup. The hearings were conducted by members of the ICC's elite panel of match referees after the games between India and Pakistan on September 14, 21, and 28. The three matches during the Asia Cup 2025 saw various gestures from both teams. Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav was fined 30 percent of his match fee for his comments referred to as 'Pahalgam tribute' during the group stage match against Pakistan on September 14. Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf received a heavy punishment, while his teammate Sahibzada Farhan was given a warning.

Rauf was penalized 30 percent of his match fee and was also suspended because of his provocative actions during the Super Four match and the final against India on September 21 and 28, respectively. Haris made a questionable '6-0' gesture towards Indian supporters and imitated a plane crashing during the Super Four match. Sahibzada Farhan celebrated with a 'gunshot' gesture during the Super 4 match.