Brief
Test Twenty to debut in Colombo with mixed‑gender teams
The inaugural Test Twenty tournament will run in Colombo with 160 players aged 13‑21, supported by cricket legends.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dubai-based organisers announced that the inaugural Test Twenty competition will launch in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 14 to 29 November 2026, Gulf News reported.
What happened
The tournament will involve 160 youngsters (20 boys and 20 girls per team) split into four continental squads. Each side plays 80 overs – 40 daytime overs with a red ball and white clothing, followed by 40 night overs with a white ball and coloured jerseys. The toss decides whether the boys or girls bat first, and the combined runs of both genders determine the winner.
What the reports add
Gulf News noted that former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, Australia’s Matthew Hayden and West Indies great Clive Lloyd sit on an advisory board, while Rajkumar Sharma, known as Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, chairs the Global Selection Committee. All matches will be shown live on Sony Sports Network.
How it came about
The format is billed as cricket’s fourth version, merging Test and T20 elements to give boys and girls a shared scoreboard and joint victory.
Key facts
- Test Twenty will debut in Colombo from 14‑29 November 2026 (gulfnews.com)
- 160 players aged 13‑21 will compete, with 20 boys and 20 girls per team (gulfnews.com)
- AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden and Clive Lloyd are on the advisory board (gulfnews.com)
- Matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Test Twenty: Boys and Girls Unite in Cricket's Exciting New 80-Over Format”
