KEY POINTS
- Sri Lanka Cricket offers free entry for the T20 World Cup opener between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
- Pakistan’s entire group stage campaign is set to be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Inclement weather forecasts threaten disruption to the opening match and Pakistan’s schedule.
- Pakistan’s campaign carries extra pressure after forfeiting their match against India.
ISLAMABAD: The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will open with a fan-friendly gesture, as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced free admission for the tournament’s first match. Pakistan will launch their 2026 campaign in an opener against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Saturday, February 7.
Free admission for historic opener
In an official statement released on Friday, SLC declared the inaugural match “open to the public free of charge.” Gates number five and seven at the SSC Ground will open at 9:30 AM local time, allowing fans to witness the start of the 20-team spectacle, which Sri Lanka is co-hosting with India until March 8.
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The match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM. Historically, Pakistan has won both prior T20I encounters against the Netherlands.
Weather clouds loom over Pakistan’s opening campaign
While the free entry is a boost, the weather forecast threatens to disrupt the opening act. Pakistan, slated to play all their Group B matches in Colombo, faces a familiar foe: inclement weather. During the 2025 Women’s World Cup, rain abandoned three of Pakistan’s games in the city.
The forecast for Saturday presents a mixed picture. While some predictions suggest a low chance of rain at the scheduled start, others warn of a high probability of heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon, potentially affecting the second half of the match.
This uncertainty adds pressure to Pakistan’s campaign, especially after the government’s decision to forfeit their high-profile match against India on February 15, making every other group game vital for progression.
Squads and full schedule
Pakistan Squad: 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 Squad: 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.
Pakistan’s Group Stage Schedule in Colombo:
Feb 7: vs Netherlands, SSC Ground (11 AM Local)
Feb 10: vs USA, SSC Ground (7 PM Local)
Feb 15: vs India, R. Premadasa Stadium (7 PM Local) *
Feb 18: vs Namibia, SSC Ground (3 PM Local)
*Match forfeited by Pakistan.
The stage is set for a dramatic tournament opener, with fan-friendly access battling the unpredictability of Colombo’s weather, all under the heightened stakes of a crucial Pakistani campaign.
