Rain Spoils Pakistan’s Only Warm-up Opportunity

Pakistan’s preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup got off to a bad start when their only practice game against Ireland rained out on February 4 in Colombo. It rained so much they couldn’t even do the coin toss. So, Pakistan missed out on getting some practice right before the tournament.

These practice matches are usually not a big deal, but in places like Sri Lanka, they’re super important for players to figure out how the field and weather play. This cancellation really sucks for Pakistan timing-wise.

New Captain, More Problems

This game was even more important because Salman Ali Agha just became the captain. This game would have been a chance for him to see what player combos, fielding positions, and bowling plans work best under pressure.

Now, Pakistan’s going into the tournament unsure of their best lineup. Plus, they’re not used to the conditions in Colombo.

Weather Might Mess Up First Game

Besides the rained-out practice, their first game against the Netherlands on February 7 is also in Colombo, and the weather forecast looks bad. If that game gets rained out too, it could really mess up Pakistan’s World Cup start.

Sharing points in the first game might not seem like a big deal, but in a tough group, every point matters.

Political Issues and India Boycott

Rain isn’t the only problem. The team is planning to skip their game against India on February 15 because of a political issue about Bangladesh not being included in the tournament. Because of this boycott, India will get two points, and Pakistan’s Net Run Rate is gonna take a hit before the games even start.

So, Pakistan pretty much has no wiggle room in Group A now.

Pressure to Qualify

Because they’re already giving up one game and another might get rained out, Pakistan needs to win all their other games against the Netherlands, USA, and Namibia to make it to the Super 8s. If they mess up, or if rain stops play, teams like the USA or the Netherlands could pass them in the rankings.

The Net Run Rate could be a big deal, and Pakistan will be at a disadvantage because they forfeited the India game.

Good Players, Bad Situation

Pakistan came into the tournament with a good team, including guys like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan. They’ve been playing well recently, which made people hopeful, but outside issues are now making things difficult.

My Thoughts

Pakistan’s facing a bunch of problems all at once: bad timing, political stuff, and bad weather. The boycott might be the right thing to do, but it puts a lot of pressure on the players, who now have to play perfectly in unpredictable situations.

What I Predict

If the weather cooperates, Shaheen Shah Afridi will probably do well with the ball against the Netherlands. Babar Azam needs to be consistent when chasing high scores, and Shadab Khan’s all-around play in the middle could be key for Pakistan.

Against weaker teams, Pakistan needs to win big to protect their Net Run Rate and get their confidence up.

Last Words

The rain in Colombo shows how uncertain things are for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup. The washed-out practice game already hurt their preparation, and more bad weather could ruin their chances of qualifying. Pakistan needs skill, good weather, and to stay calm to keep their World Cup hopes alive.