As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 edges closer, cricket fans around the world looked forward to the warm‑up matches that paved the way for the main event. Held in the days leading up to the official tournament, these fixtures provide valuable playing time, allow teams to test combinations, and give coaches critical insights into form and conditions.

Played from 2 February to 6 February 2026 across venues in India and Sri Lanka, the warm‑up series featured 16 matches involving a mix of full national teams and “A” sides. They offered early action before the World Cup began on 7 February 2026.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches Overview

Warm‑up matches are preparatory fixtures scheduled before major tournaments like the T20 World Cup. Although they do not count towards official standings or statistics in the main event, they are highly important for team preparation.

Unlike regular T20 internationals, warm‑up games allow teams to try out different combinations, give game time to squad members fighting for a place in the final XI, and adapt to local pitch and weather conditions. They are often played in the same format as the main tournament—20 overs per side—but with flexibility in playing conditions and squad use.

Importance of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches

Warm‑up matches may not contribute to tournament progression, but their significance cannot be understated. They offer:

• Match Practice under T20 Conditions: Players adjust to the demands of 20 overs per side with competitive match rhythm rather than net practice.

• Tactical Experimentation: Teams can trial different batting orders, bowling rotations, and field placements without the pressure of points or qualification.

• Player Evaluation: Coaches and selectors use these games to assess form, fitness, and combinations ahead of the World Cup.

• Condition Acclimatization: Teams visiting India and Sri Lanka adapt to pitches, weather, and travel logistics before the main competition.

• Fan Engagement: Warm‑ups give fans and broadcasters an early taste of World Cup action before official opening games begin.

These fixtures are widely covered by broadcasters and digital platforms worldwide and streamed through services such as ICC.tv, Star Sports, SuperSport, and others depending on the region.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches Schedule

In 2026, a total of 16 warm‑up matches were held over five days in early February. These fixtures saw a mix of full national sides and “A” teams taking the field across four cities in India and Sri Lanka.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Warm‑Up Matches

Here is a list of the scheduled warm‑up fixtures:

• 2 Feb: Afghanistan vs Scotland — Bengaluru

• 2 Feb: India A vs United States of America — Navi Mumbai

• 2 Feb: Canada vs Italy — Chennai

• 3 Feb: Sri Lanka A vs Oman — Colombo

• 3 Feb: Netherlands vs Zimbabwe — Colombo

• 3 Feb: Nepal vs United Arab Emirates — Chennai

• 4 Feb: Namibia vs Scotland — Bengaluru

• 4 Feb: Afghanistan vs West Indies — Bengaluru

• 4 Feb: Ireland vs Pakistan — Colombo (Abandoned)

• 4 Feb: India vs South Africa — Navi Mumbai

• 5 Feb: Oman vs Zimbabwe — Colombo

• 5 Feb: Canada vs Nepal — Chennai

• 5 Feb: New Zealand vs United States of America — Navi Mumbai

• 5 Feb: Australia vs Netherlands — Colombo (No Result)

• 6 Feb: Italy vs United Arab Emirates — Chennai

• 6 Feb: India A vs Namibia — Bengaluru

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches: Highlights & Results

Across the five days of action, several teams posted impressive performances and notable results, giving fans early glimpses of form and potential line‑ups.

Day 1 (2 February):

• Afghanistan dominated Scotland, winning by 61 runs.

• India A defeated USA by 38 runs with strong batting displays.

• Italy recorded a 10‑run victory over Canada.

Day 2 (3 February):

• Oman beat Sri Lanka A by 5 wickets.

• Zimbabwe defeated Netherlands by 29 runs.

• Nepal comfortably saw off UAE by 7 wickets.

Day 3 (4 February):

• Namibia edged Scotland in a high‑scoring clash.

• Afghanistan posted a strong win over West Indies.

• India defeated South Africa by 30 runs.

• Ireland vs Pakistan was abandoned due to rain.

Day 4 (5 February):

• Oman beat Zimbabwe with a four‑wicket victory.

• Nepal secured a six‑wicket win against Canada.

• New Zealand defeated USA by 7 runs.

• The Australia vs Netherlands match was abandoned due to weather.

Day 5 (6 February):

• Italy crushed UAE by 112 runs.

• India A dominated Namibia by 130 runs.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches Today

During the warm‑up period, multiple matches could take place on a single day, especially since teams used these fixtures to rotate players and gain valuable preparations. For today’s live warm‑up matches, fans generally follow official ICC live score feeds, major cricket apps, and broadcaster platforms for real‑time updates.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches List

Below is the complete list of teams involved in the warm‑up series for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup:

• Afghanistan

• India

• India A

• South Africa

• West Indies

• New Zealand

• Pakistan

• Nepal

• Oman

• Zimbabwe

• Sri Lanka A

• Netherlands

• United Arab Emirates

• Scotland

• Canada

• United States of America

• Italy

• Namibia

This list mirrors the diversity of participants in the World Cup proper while also allowing associate and emerging teams meaningful competition before the tournament begins.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches Table

Below is a table summarizing scorecards and outcomes from the 2026 warm‑up matches:

Note: Matches between Ireland vs Pakistan and Australia vs Netherlands were either abandoned or called off due to rain and are not included in results.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Matches Stats

Although warm‑up matches are not official T20 Internationals and do not count toward tournament records, individual performances from these fixtures are often tracked by analysts and fans to gauge team form.

Batting Leaders (2026 Warm‑Ups)

According to early stats from warm‑up games:

• Brandon McMullen: 115 runs (highest aggregate)

• Darwish Rasooli: 111 runs

• Narayan Jagadeesan: 104 runs

• Aamir Kaleem: 103 runs

• Jan Frylinck: 100 runs

Notable Individual Highlights

• McMullen and Rasooli both hit impactful innings, combining aggression with consistency.

• Narayan Jagadeesan reached the only recorded fifty in warm‑ups (58+).

• Aamir Kaleem impressed with an unbeaten 80 for Oman.

These stats, while unofficial, help teams and fans assess hitters worth monitoring once the main tournament begins.

FAQ

What are ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm‑up matches?

Warm‑up matches are preparatory T20 games played before the official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament begins. They help teams adapt, evaluate players, and test tactics under competitive conditions.

Where can I check ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm‑up matches live?

Warm‑up matches are typically streamed on official platforms like ICC.tv, and in many regions on broadcast partners including Star Sports, SuperSport, and other cricket networks depending on your location.

How many warm‑up matches are played before the T20 World Cup?

For the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, 16 warm‑up matches were played between 2–6 February 2026, featuring teams from the tournament plus “A” sides.

Where can I find ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm‑up matches stats?

Unofficial match stats can be found on cricket stats websites, cricket news platforms, and match trackers, which list batting aggregates, bowling figures, highest scores, and strike rates from warm‑up fixtures.

Which teams are playing in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm‑up matches 2026?

Teams involved included full national sides like India, Afghanistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and associate or emerging squads including Nepal, Oman, UAE, USA, Italy, and more.

Read more about T20:

• T20 World Cup 2026 Standings: Track team rankings, points, and performance updates throughout the T20 World Cup 2026.

• T20 World Cup 2026 Stats: Explore key statistics, player performances, and match data from the T20 World Cup 2026.

• T20 World Cup Winners List: Discover the complete list of past T20 World Cup champions and their historic victories.