A yet-to-be determined qualifier will be the third team in group A, the International Cricket Council announced at the tournament launch in Colombo.

Australia, West Indies and a qualifier are drawn in group B, hosts Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe in group C and Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh in group D.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Eights round, which will also be contested in two pools. The first two in each pool will advance to the semifinals.

The two-yearly tournament in cricket’s shortest format will be played from Sept. 18 to Oct. 7, with Hambantota holding three matches, Pallekele nine and capital Colombo 15.

The Premadasa stadium in Colombo will hold the semifinals on Oct. 4 and 5 and the final on Oct 7.

The two qualifiers will be determined through a separate competition between non-Test nations to be held in the United Arab Emirates from March 13-24.

The eight-nation women’s tournament will run from Sept. 26 to Oct. 7 with the league matches in Galle, and the semifinals and final in Colombo on the same days and at the same venue as the men’s knock-out matches.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat was confident the tournament will be as successful as the three previous editions in South Africa (2007), England (2009) and the West Indies (2010).

“The ICC World Twenty20 is now a marquee event in Twenty20 cricket where nations face each other for the most coveted title in the shortest format of the game,” Lorgat said.

“Nothing beats nation-versus-nation contests and when these battles take place in the newest, sharpest and quickest form of the game, you can feel the excitement in fans.

“Following the legacies and success of the World Cup, I am confident that Sri Lanka will deliver another world-class event.”

Lorgat said it was significant the men’s and women’s knock-out games will be played on the same dates at one venue.

“Those match days provide a great setting for both the men’s and women’s game and we remain committed to showcase women’s cricket in this way, which is unique in the world of team sports,” he said.
 

Meantime, Sri Lanka left out experienced middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera from a squad of 16 named on Wednesday for the three-match Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Samaraweera, who turns 35 on Thursday and has a test average of over 52 in 68 tests, was dropped for the third and final Test against Australia which ended in a draw on Tuesday to make way for young opener Lahiru Thirimanne.

Thirimanne opened the batting with Tharanga Paranavitana after captain Tillakaratne Dilshan decided to drop down the order to try and regain form.

Dilshan made an attractive 83 batting in Samaraweera’s position at No. 5 and later said that he would prefer batting in that position in the future.

“Thilan will not come into the reckoning in our long term plans,” said chairman of selectors Duleep Mendis.

“We intend giving youngsters an opportunity while the seniors are around. He might be considered on a short term basis.”

Mendis said spinner Ajantha Mendis was not considered for selection as he was undergoing treatment for a recurring back injury.

The squad comprises all 11 players who played in the final Test against Australia plus five others — batsman Dinesh Chandimal, bowlers Dammika Prasad, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Pradeep and wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews, named vice captain to Dilshan for the first time, will only play as a batsman.

“Angelo has gone to Australia for treatment for his left knee and we will not risk bowling him in the series,” said Mendis.

Sri Lanka play Pakistan in a series of three tests in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah starting on Oct. 18.

Sri Lanka will name a new squad for the five-match one-day international series and one-off Twenty20 at the end of the Test series.