T20 World Cup kicks off today boosting cricket and tourism in Sri Lanka

• Country to host over 20 matches in Colombo and Kandy in month-long tournament
• 10th edition of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka billed to be one of the best world cricket has ever seen
• Windfall for Sri Lanka Cricket; most city hotels fully booked with influx of international cricket fans and players
• Over 400 players and officials and over 200 international media personnel will be in the country
• Today’s inaugural match Pakistan Vs Netherlands at SSC will be open to the public free of charge

By Nisthar Cassim

The 10th edition of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will kick off today in Sri Lanka boosting cricket and tourism during a month-long engagement.

Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, this year’s edition is billed to be one of the best tournaments world cricket has ever seen. Sri Lanka will host over 20 matches in Colombo (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club) and in Kandy (Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan and Netherlands will play the first match in Colombo tomorrow at SSC, which hosts its first ever day-night cricket match under lights. Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium will kick off the tournament in India between host and USA.

Sri Lanka’s first match will be on Sunday against Ireland at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo. 

The venue for the Final is yet to be confirmed, either in Ahmedabad or Colombo, scheduled for 8 March. Sri Lanka is in Group B with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.

President Shammi Silva told the Daily FT that Sri Lanka Cricket will get a boost of over $ 5 million as contribution for co-hosting the championship apart from other revenue streams.

Sri Lanka previously hosted the Men’s T20 World Cup single handed in 2012 whilst it was a co-host of 2011 Cricket World Cup in 2011 along with India and Bangladesh.

Almost all city hotels are fully booked by international cricket fans amidst a busy winter tourist season at present. Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams is hosting almost all the visiting teams.

Its new CEO Kamal Munasinghe said city hotels occupancy will be 70-80% throughout February.

Classic Destinations is handling the hospitality part locally and Expolanka Holdings Director – Leisure Cluster Sabry Bahaudeen said around 400 players and officials will figure in Sri Lanka during the tournament apart from over 200 international journalists.

The ICC T20 World Cup comes at a time when Sri Lanka ended January with highest ever tourist arrivals for the month of 277,327. The record is on the back of 15% growth in 2025 to a record 2.36 million tourists in 2025.

Featuring 20 teams, Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka whilst Australia, Zimbabwe, USA, Namibia, Oman are the other teams who will play in Sri Lanka.

Blockbuster game India versus Pakistan scheduled for 15 February in Colombo remains uncertain due to Pakistan’s decision not to play India. The matter is still under review by ICC. India is the defending champion having won the 2024 final beating South Africa.

Bangladesh is missing the tournament due to differences of opinion with India and ICC with the beneficiary being Scotland. There will be 55 matches in total across the T20 World Cup.

The T20 World Cup Groups:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, United States, Netherlands, Namibia 

• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman 

• Group C: England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy

• Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, United Arab Emirates

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