COLOMBO: Weather conditions in Colombo could play a decisive role as Pakistan prepare to open their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the Netherlands on Saturday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. With forecasts indicating persistent cloud cover and a rising chance of rain later in the day, teams and fans alike will be keeping a close watch on the skies.
According to the latest meteorological outlook, match day is expected to begin under heavily overcast conditions. Cloud coverage is predicted to remain close to 88 percent during the morning hours, creating a gloomy start but offering some hope for uninterrupted play early on.
Temperatures are forecast to stay around 31°C, though the high humidity — estimated at 77 percent — could make conditions feel considerably warmer. The RealFeel temperature is expected to reach 36°C, which may test player endurance, particularly during extended spells in the field.
Colombo Weather Update
Winds during the morning session are likely to blow from the southeast at approximately 11 km/h, with occasional gusts reaching up to 32 km/h. Despite the thick cloud cover, no rainfall is expected in the early part of the day, allowing a potential full start to the contest if conditions hold.
However, weather models suggest a notable shift as the day progresses. By late afternoon and evening, Colombo is expected to experience increasing instability, with scattered showers becoming more likely. The probability of precipitation is projected to rise sharply to 83 percent, with rainfall totals estimated at around 4.2 mm.
During this period, temperatures may climb slightly to 32°C, while the RealFeel could reach 37°C due to sustained humidity. Wind direction is also expected to change, blowing from the north-northwest at around 17 km/h, with stronger gusts touching 43 km/h. Visibility could reduce significantly, dropping to nearly 4 kilometres, which may further complicate playing conditions.
Weather concerns are not new for Pakistan in Colombo. Earlier this week, rain forced the abandonment of their only warm-up match against Ireland before the toss could even take place. That disruption has already limited Pakistan’s preparation time, making favorable conditions on match day even more crucial for the Men in Green.
The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground is set to remain a key venue for Pakistan in the group stage. After their opener against the Netherlands, Pakistan are scheduled to face the USA on February 10 and Namibia on February 18, both at the same ground. With Colombo’s unpredictable February weather, rain could continue to influence the group standings.
As anticipation builds for Pakistan’s tournament opener, weather remains an uncontrollable variable that could significantly impact momentum, match duration, and results. Fans and teams will be hoping the rain stays away long enough to allow a full contest under Colombo’s cloudy skies.
Pakistan Squads for T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Netherlands Squads for T20 World Cup 2026
Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar
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