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Defending champions England have been drawn with India and a qualifying nation in the group stages of the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

England will begin the defence of the trophy against the qualifiers in Colombo.

The England women's team, , have been drawn with Australia, India and a qualifier.

The finals of both tournaments take place in Colombo on 7 October 2012.

After opening against the qualifiers, who will be determined in a tournament in the United Arab Emirates in March, England play 2007 champions India two days later.

If the competition then follows the pre-tournament seedings, England can expect to come up against West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the Super Eight stage.

England, who had never previously won an International Cricket Council global tournament, beat Australia by seven wickets in the 2009 final in Barbados.

Paul Collingwood was captain at the time, but has since been replaced by Stuart Broad.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "The ICC World Twenty20 is now a marquee event in Twenty20 cricket where nations challenge each other for the most coveted title in the shortest format of the game.

"The previous editions in South Africa, England and the West Indies have smartly established the ICC World Twenty20 as a major global event that is not only exciting and entertaining but embraces both men's and women's cricket.

"Following the legacies and success of the recent ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, I am confident that the hosts, Sri Lanka, will deliver a world class event."

The complete draw and fixtures for the 2012 World Twenty20 can be found on the