ICC announces 2012 World T20 schedule

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday announced the match schedule and unveiled the event logo of the World Twenty20 to be staged in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7 next year.

Reigning champion England will start their title defence at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo against one of the two qualifiers for the tournament. Stuart Broad's side will complete its opening group commitments two days later against 2007 champions India at the same venue.

Australia, chasing the one global trophy to have eluded them, will go head-to-head with the other qualifier in Colombo Sep 19, part of a double-header that also features India and a qualifier.

Sri Lanka, who lost to England in the semi-final of last year's tournament in the West Indies, will open their campaign against Zimbabwe under lights in Hambantota Sep 18 before taking on South Africa at the same venue on Sep 22.

Pakistan, who won the 2009 tournament in England, have been grouped with New Zealand and Bangladesh, and will play their matches in Pallekele Sep 23 and 25 respectively. Pallekele will also host the New Zealand-Bangladesh match Sep 21.

Groups and fixtures:

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

Super Eight (S8) Groups
Group 1: A1, B2, C1, D2
Group 2: A2, B1, C2, D1

Fixtures

Tues, Sep 18: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (1930-2230), Hambantota

Wed, Sep 19: Australia v Q1 (1530-1830), Colombo

Wed, Sep 19: India v Q2 (1930-2230), Colombo

Thurs, Sep 20: South Africa v Zimbabwe (1930-2230), Hambantota

Fri, Sep 21: New Zealand v Bangladesh (1530-1830), Pallekele

Fri, Sep 21: England v Q2 (1930-2230), Colombo

Sat, Sep 22: Sri Lanka v South Africa (1530-1830), Hambantota

Sat, Sep 22: Australia v West Indies (1930-2230), Colombo

Sun, Sep 23: Pakistan v New Zealand (1530-1830), Pallekele

Sun, Sep 23: England v India (1930-2230), Colombo

Mon, Sep 24: West Indies v Qualifier 1 (1930-2230), Colombo

Tues, Sep 25: Pakistan v Bangladesh (1930-2230), Pallekele

Thurs, Sep 27: C1 v D2 (1530-1830), Pallekele

Thurs, Sep 27: A1 v B2 (1930-2230), Pallekele

Fri, Sep 28: D1 v C2 (1530-1830), Colombo

Fri, Sep 28: B1 v A2 (1930-2230), Colombo

Sat, Sep 29: A1 v D2 (1530-1830), Pallekele

Sat, Sep 29: C1 v B2 (1930-2230), Pallekele

Sun, Sep 30: B1 v C2 (1530-1830), Colombo

Sun, Sep 30: D1 v A2 (1930-2230), Colombo

Mon, Oct  1: B2 v D2 (1530-1830), Pallekele

Mon, Oct 1: A1 v C1 (1930-2230), Pallekele

Tues, Oct 2: B1 v D1 (1530-1830), Colombo

Tues, Oct 2: A2 v C2 (1930-2230), Colombo

Thurs, Oct  4: 1st semi-final S8 Group-1 first v S8 Group-2 second (1900-2200), Colombo

 Fri, Oct 5: 2nd semi-final S8 Group-2 first v S8 Group-1 second (1900-2200), Colombo

 Sun, Oct 7: Final (1900-2200), Colombo