India And South Africa Tune Up As Afghanistan Impress In T20 World Cup Warm-Ups

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is just around the corner, and the cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation after an eventful Day 3 of the warm-up fixtures. With only three days left before the main tournament kicks off on February 7, teams are fine-tuning their strategies, testing their bench strength, and seeking that elusive winning momentum. From Namibia’s thrilling win over Scotland to Afghanistan’s dominant display against the West Indies, and the much-anticipated clash between India and South Africa in Navi Mumbai, there was no shortage of drama or excitement on February 4, 2026.

Let’s start with the fixture that had everyone talking: co-hosts India taking on South Africa at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Both sides entered the contest with a point to prove. India, the defending champions, have been in red-hot T20I form, winning 48 of their last 56 matches since October 2023 and recently clinching a series victory over New Zealand. South Africa, meanwhile, are eager to go one better after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition, and this warm-up marked their sole opportunity to test combinations before the World Cup begins.

The match, scheduled for a 7:00 PM IST start (with the toss at 6:30 PM), was broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on the JioHotstar app and website, ensuring fans across India could catch every moment of the action. Both teams fielded squads packed with talent and experience. India’s lineup, led by Suryakumar Yadav, featured the likes of Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Abhishek Sharma. South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, brought a formidable squad including Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton, and more.

What makes this warm-up so intriguing? For one, it’s a repeat of the dramatic 2024 final, with both sides eager to lay down a marker ahead of the league stage. India’s recent track record and depth in talent have made them favorites, but South Africa’s hunger for redemption and their own pool of match-winners set the stage for a fascinating contest. The match also offered both teams a final chance to assess batting order options, bowling plans, and fielding setups in match conditions before the World Cup intensity begins.

Elsewhere, the day began with a high-scoring thriller in Bengaluru as Namibia faced Scotland. Namibia’s decision to bat first paid off handsomely, with openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck launching a ferocious assault. Frylinck starred with a superb 88, while Steenkamp added a rapid 51 off just 24 balls. The middle order, led by skipper Gerhard Erasmus (33), Ruben Trumpelmann (25), and JJ Smit (22), kept the momentum alive, propelling Namibia to a daunting 226.

Scotland, undaunted by the target, responded in kind. Despite losing Michael Jones early, Brandon McMullen and Mark Watt stitched together a whirlwind 102-run partnership in just over seven overs. McMullen’s 95, scored at a staggering strike rate of 243.58, nearly took Scotland over the line. With twelve required off the final over, the match hung in the balance until JJ Smuts picked up the vital wicket of Richie Berrington (46), sealing a nerve-jangling six-run win for Namibia. What a contest!

Afghanistan’s clash with the West Indies at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru was another highlight. West Indies captain Shai Hope won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to put Afghanistan under early pressure. But Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had other ideas, racing to 62 without loss in the powerplay. Gurbaz eventually fell for 43, while Zadran retired out after notching a brisk half-century. Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli contributed, but it was Azmatullah Omarzai who stole the show at the death, smashing 35 off just 15 balls before retiring out. Afghanistan finished with a strong 182/6 from their 20 overs, having ensured their top seven all got valuable time in the middle.

The West Indies’ chase got off to a shaky start, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman striking early. By the eighth over, the Windies were reeling at 54/5, and despite a spirited late effort from Matthew Forde (an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls) and Jason Holder (25*), they could only muster 159/7, falling short by 23 runs. Afghanistan’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Omarzai and Mujeeb picking up two wickets apiece, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi each chipping in with one.

Elsewhere, the scheduled fixture between Ireland and Pakistan in Colombo was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. While disappointing for fans, the decision was made with player safety in mind—no one wants an injury to derail World Cup hopes before the main event even begins.

For fans eager to follow every ball, the ICC has ensured comprehensive coverage. Select warm-up matches, including the Afghanistan vs West Indies contest, were streamed live on JioHotstar, with live score updates on the ICC’s official website. The India vs South Africa clash, meanwhile, enjoyed prime-time TV billing on Star Sports and digital streaming for those on the go.

As the warm-up phase draws to a close, the stakes couldn’t be higher. India, in Group A with Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, and Namibia, will be looking to defend their crown, while South Africa, grouped with Afghanistan, New Zealand, UAE, and Canada in Group D, are determined to shake off their perennial bridesmaid tag. Afghanistan’s confidence will be sky-high after back-to-back warm-up wins, and Namibia’s thrilling victory over Scotland suggests they could spring a surprise or two.

With the main tournament set to begin in just three days, these warm-up matches have provided a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. Teams have experimented, new heroes have emerged, and fans have been treated to some cracking cricket. If the warm-up action is any indication, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.

As the lights dim on the warm-up stage and the world’s best prepare to battle for T20 supremacy, all eyes now turn to February 7. Let the real games begin!