COLOMBO: Pakistan’s sole warm-up fixture ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was cancelled due to persistent rain, leaving the team without any match practice in Sri Lankan conditions.
The warm-up match against Ireland, scheduled to be played in Colombo, was abandoned without a single ball being bowled as heavy and continuous rain made play impossible.
This cancellation means Pakistan missed their only opportunity to acclimatise and prepare for the tournament’s playing conditions in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will now begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 against the Netherlands at the same venue in Colombo. However, weather forecasts indicate a risk of rain during that match as well, which could further complicate the Green Shirts’ progress in the event.
Pakistan are also scheduled to play two more group-stage matches at this Colombo venue: against the United States on February 10 and against Namibia on February 18.
The team was originally due to face arch-rivals India in Colombo on February 15, but the Government of Pakistan has directed the side not to play that group match against India.
If rain continues to affect Pakistan’s remaining group fixtures, it could severely jeopardise their chances of advancing to the next stage of the tournament.
