Dharamsala will host India-Pakistan match, final in Kolkata

World cricket’s governing body said eight venues across India would host the showpiece event, which runs from March 8 to April 3, with Mumbai and New Delhi staging the semi-finals and Kolkata the final.

Pakistan will play their first match on March 16 against the qualifying side, followed by the big game against arch-rivals India on March 19 in Dharamsala.

The main group will witness the remainder of the full members in addition to the two teams that make it through from the first group.

Group B – England (B1), West Indies (B2), India (B3), Pakistan (B4) and Bangladesh (B5).

Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman have been slotted into Group A, while Group B comprises Zimbabwe, Scotland, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Saturday, Mar 12: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan (PM), Nagpur; Scotland vs Hong Kong (Eve.), Nagpur.

Defending champions Sri Lanka begin the defence of their title against a qualifying team on March 17 in Kolkata.

The venues are Bengaluru, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi.

“Looking at the heat generated while the discussion was on whether the series will be held between India and Pakistan, it needed a cooler weather and Dharamsala gives the right atmosphere”, said Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s president Thakur at the launch of the mega event on Friday.

England, the 2010 champions, will be taking on the last two winners of the competition, Sri Lanka – champions in 2014 – and the 2012 champions, the West Indies.

Monday, Mar 21: Australia vs New Zealand (W) (PM), Nagpur; Australia vs Q1A (M) (Eve.), Bengaluru. A clash against New Zealand and Australia is scheduled for March 22 and 25, respectively. Skipper Eoin Morgan and his side will also need to develop a winning strategy against South Africa, West Indies and a yet to be confirmed qualifier. Their matches against England and South Africa will be played in Delhi on March 26 and 28 respectively.

The Tigers prevailed in the first round to be bracketed with India, Pakistan, Australia and West Indies in the Super 10.

Stage 1 (March 8 to 13): 8 teams divided into 2 groups (Group A and B).

Thursday, Mar 31: Women’s semifinal (1st group A vs 2nd group B) (PM), Mumbai; Men’s semifinal (Super 10 Group 1 2nd v Super 10 Group 2 1st) (Eve.), Mumbai. The women’s semi-finals and final will be followed by the men’s knock-out matches, with a reserve day being allotted for both finals.