The group stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has drawn to a close, and the stage is now set for what promises to be a thrilling Super Eights phase beginning on February 21. Eight teams have punched their tickets to the next round, with reigning champions India leading the charge after a flawless group campaign.

India completed their group stage dominance with a clinical 17-run victory over the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Shivam Dube delivered a Player of the Match performance for the ages, smashing 66 off just 31 deliveries while also claiming two crucial wickets for 35 runs in his three overs. His all-round heroics helped India post an imposing 193 for 6, with Rinku Singh providing the finishing touch in the death overs. The Netherlands fought valiantly in their chase, reaching 176 for 7, but ultimately fell short against India's relentless attack. Dube's knock was the highest individual score by an Indian batting at number five or lower in T20 World Cup history, and he became only the third Indian after Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya to score a half-century and take a wicket in the same T20 World Cup match.

The final day of group fixtures on February 19 produced several decisive results. Afghanistan hammered Canada by 82 runs in Chennai, posting a formidable 200 for 4 before bowling out Canada for 118. In Kolkata, the West Indies maintained their unbeaten record with a comfortable 42-run win over Italy, posting 165 for 6 and restricting the Italians to 123. Perhaps the most eye-catching result came in Colombo, where Zimbabwe continued their remarkable tournament run by chasing down Sri Lanka's 178 for 7 with six wickets to spare, finishing on 182 for 4 to remain unbeaten in the group stage.

Pakistan secured the final Super Eights berth with a commanding 102-run demolition of Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on February 19. It was a statement performance from a side that had faced early scrutiny in the tournament, and they will carry significant momentum into the next phase.

The Super Eights draw has produced two mouth-watering groups. Group 1 features India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe, while Group 2 pits Pakistan against England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The format requires each team to play their three group opponents, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Crucially, all teams start the Super Eights on zero points, with no carryover from the group stage.

The headline fixture is undoubtedly the Group 1 clash between India and South Africa, a rematch of the dramatic 2024 T20 World Cup final. Pakistan and New Zealand will open the Super Eights proceedings in Colombo on February 21, setting the tone for what is expected to be a fiercely competitive knockout phase.

With the eight qualifiers also automatically securing their places at the 2028 T20 World Cup, the stakes extend well beyond this tournament. But for now, all eyes are on the Super Eights, where the real battle for the 2026 title begins.