Pakistan vs Netherlands Weather Update: Colombo Rain Adds Pressure in T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan’s decision to boycott their India match at the T20 World Cup 2026 has instantly raised the stakes for the rest of their group-stage fixtures. With Salman Agha’s side instructed not to take the field against India on February 15, every remaining match has now become a 'must-win' encounter if Pakistan hope to qualify for the next round.

Placed in a challenging group that includes Namibia, Netherlands, USA, and India, Pakistan begin their campaign against the Netherlands. However, even before the first ball is bowled, the team is facing a serious concern as rain in Colombo threatens to disrupt the opening match.

Pakistan vs Netherlands Weather Forecast Raises Concerns

According to AccuWeather, weather conditions in Colombo could play a major role in the Pakistan vs Netherlands clash. Afternoon showers are expected, with rain chances increasing sharply as the day progresses. The probability of rainfall is projected to rise to 68 percent around 2:00 pm IST, with the highest disruption expected around the halfway stage of the match.

Here is the hourly weather report for Pakistan vs Netherlands:

11:00 am: 5%
12:00 pm: 8%
1:00 pm: 60%
2:00 pm: 68%
3:00 pm: 60%
4:00 pm: 30%

Although this period is usually considered the dry season in Sri Lanka, Colombo has experienced persistent heavy rainfall over the past week, raising fresh doubts over uninterrupted play.

Rain Already Disrupting Pakistan’s Preparations

Weather interruptions have already affected Pakistan even before their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign officially begins. Their only warm-up match against Ireland was completely washed out on Wednesday evening at the Sinhalese Sports Club, denying the team valuable match practice.

The forecast for the coming days remains uncertain, with unsettled weather also threatening Pakistan’s upcoming night fixture against the USA this Tuesday, further complicating their group-stage journey.

Why Rain Interruptions Mean 'Bad News' For Pakistan

The decision to boycott the India fixture has left Pakistan in a highly vulnerable position. By opting out, Pakistan effectively hand India two points and allow their rivals a significant head start in the group standings. As per ICC forfeit rules, Pakistan will receive zero points from the match and suffer a major blow to their Net Run Rate (NRR), which is typically recorded as a maximum-margin defeat.

In a short group stage where only the top two teams advance, this setback leaves Pakistan with no room for slip-ups. Every remaining game now functions like a knockout match, where even a minor stumble could end their campaign.

No Margin for Error in a Tight Group

The situation is made even tougher by the unseasonal rain in Colombo and the growing confidence of associate teams. Without the 'buffer' of the India game, even a single washout or an unexpected defeat against a team like the USA would mathematically eliminate Pakistan from the T20 World Cup 2026.

To stay alive in the tournament, Pakistan must now not only win all their remaining matches but also secure convincing victories. Strong winning margins are essential to repair their damaged NRR and keep qualification hopes alive in what has already become a high-pressure campaign.