Dubai: The groups and fixtures for the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka were announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday.
Colombo, Pallekele and Hambantota will be venues for the men's tournament, while the women's matches will be played in Galle.
A total of 42 matches, including 27 men's and 15 women's matches, will be played over 20 days at four venues between September 18 and October 7 next year.
Defending champions England and India are in Group A and will be joined by one of the Associate or Affiliate teams that make it through from the qualifiers to be held in the UAE from March 13 to 24.
The other qualifying team will be in Group B with the West Indies and Australia.
Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe make up Group C, while Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh are in Group D.
England will start their title defence at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo against one of the qualifiers. Two days later they will meet 2007 champion India at the same venue.
Australia, who have never won this title, will start their campaign on September 19.
Pakistan, who won the 2009 tournament in England, will play their matches in Pallekele on September 23 and 25 respectively.
According to the seedings, if Sri Lanka reaches the Super Eight stage, they will then go on to play in Pallekele before moving to Colombo if they qualifies for the knock-outs.
Rivals clash
Similarly, if everything goes according to pre-tournament seedings then Pakistan and India will lock horns in a Super Eight match in Colombo on September 30.
Commenting on the Twenty20 World Cup format, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "The ICC World Twenty20 is now a marquee event in Twenty20 cricket where nations challenge each other for the most coveted title in the shortest format of the game.
Major global event
"The previous editions in South Africa, England and the West Indies have smartly established the ICC World Twenty20 as a major global event that is not only exciting and entertaining but embraces both men's and women's cricket.
"Nothing beats nation-versus-nation contests and when these battles take place in the newest, sharpest and quickest form of the game then you can feel the excitement in fans."
Acknowledging the spirit for the game in Sri Lanka, Lorgat added: "We all know how passionate and loyal the Sri Lankan public is towards our great sport and we will ensure the tickets are affordable so that they can enjoy the event."
Tickets are expected to go on sale from March 1 and will be available online at from the box office in Sri Lanka.
Groupings
- Group A: England, India, Qualifier 2
- Group B: Australia West Indies Qualifier 1
- Group C: Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe
- Group D: Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh.
