A unique cricket format called ‘Test Twenty’ is set to bring boys and girls together in a team competition, with both playing separate innings but contributing to the same overall team score.
The tournament will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from November 14 to 29, 2026. According to the organisers, the event will feature 160 young cricketers aged between 13 and 21, divided into four continental teams. Each team will comprise 20 boys and 20 girls, bringing both groups together under a shared team structure.
Under the new format, boys will compete against boys, while girls will face other girls in their respective matches. However, the final outcome will depend on the combined scores of both innings, making the contributions of male and female players equally important to their team’s success.
Each match will consist of 80 overs, split into two distinct phases designed to combine traditional Test cricket elements with modern playing conditions.
The first 40 overs will be played during the daytime using a red ball, with players wearing traditional white cricket clothing. The remaining 40 overs will take place under floodlights, featuring a white ball and coloured kits, introducing a limited-overs-style atmosphere to the competition.
The matches will be staged at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club, with the tournament final scheduled for November 29.
All matches are expected to be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network, allowing cricket fans to follow the competition as the new format makes its debut.
The organisers aim to offer a different approach to the game by combining separate contests for boys and girls with a shared team result. By placing equal importance on both innings, Test Twenty will provide a platform for young cricketers to compete internationally while showcasing their skills in a format that blends traditional and modern elements of the sport.