ICC men’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches open with big scores and early statements

The ICC men’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches began Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, with 16 tune-up games packed into a five-day window that ends Thursday, Feb. 6, just before the tournament starts on Saturday, Feb. 7. Early results offered a familiar reminder of what teams want from these fixtures: quick runs, clear roles, and a final check on combinations under pressure.

Day 1 delivered a little of everything—an emphatic win for a contender, a high-scoring chase that still fell short, and a confidence-boosting upset-style result for a debutant.

Day 1 sets the tone

Afghanistan opened the warm-ups with a 61-run victory over Scotland in Bengaluru, posting 184/6 and then bowling Scotland out for 123 with three overs to spare. The match doubled as a clear signal that Afghanistan’s power hitters and wicket-taking options are arriving in form.

In Navi Mumbai, India A piled up 238/3, powered by a century from Narayan Jagadeesan and a brisk cameo from Tilak Varma. The USA responded with intent—Andries Gous and Sanjay Krishnamurthi provided the spark—but the chase ended at 200 in 19.4 overs, leaving India A a 38-run winner in a game that played like a full dress rehearsal for modern T20 scoring rates.

In Chennai, Italy edged Canada by 10 runs after making 156/4, a useful result for a team heading into its first men’s T20 World Cup campaign. With limited time to settle into tournament routines, a close win can be as valuable as any net session.

ICC men’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches schedule

The warm-ups run Feb. 2–6 across four cities—Bengaluru, Navi Mumbai, Chennai, and Colombo—using multiple grounds in each host area. All listed start times below are Eastern Time (ET).

Beyond these, other warm-ups include matchups such as Afghanistan vs West Indies (Feb. 4) and Australia vs Netherlands (Feb. 5), plus additional Associate contests designed to provide real-game reps rather than extended practice blocks.

Why warm-ups matter more than usual

With only a handful of matches before teams move into group play, warm-ups tend to function less like “friendlies” and more like auditions. Captains and coaching staffs are looking for answers to practical questions:

• Who bowls the toughest two overs at the death?

• Which batter can absorb a collapse without stalling the run rate?

• How does a side balance extra pace, a second spinner, and batting depth?

For Associate nations and debutants, the priority is often different: adjusting to speed, bounce, and fielding intensity that can feel like a step up from regional competitions. That makes tight finishes and competitive chases especially valuable, even in defeat.

Venues, travel, and conditions in play

Warm-up matches are split across multiple venues in India—two grounds at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, plus DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai—while Colombo hosts games at SSC Cricket Ground, R. Premadasa Stadium, and Colombo Cricket Club Ground.

The practical edge here is variety. Some grounds encourage run gluts; others reward bowlers who hit hard lengths or vary pace. For batting groups, it’s a chance to calibrate risk: what’s a defendable total, which boundaries are shorter, and how early the ball grips for spin.

What to watch before the tournament begins Feb. 7

The remaining warm-ups will be read as signals, not verdicts. Still, a few themes are likely to shape the conversation:

• Heavyweight tempo checks: India vs South Africa on Feb. 4 is a direct look at how two contenders manage match-ups and middle-overs control.

• Associate momentum: Nepal, UAE, USA, and Italy have multiple opportunities to pressure Full Member teams or build belief through tight contests.

• Final role clarity: Expect experimentation to taper off by Feb. 5–6, as teams move from testing options to locking in their first-choice XI.

With the main event opening Saturday, Feb. 7, the warm-ups are effectively the last controlled environment for teams to solve problems before points are on the line.

Sources consulted: International Cricket Council; Cricbuzz; Wisden; The Times of India