The India vs Pakistan clash has been fought well off the field. The controversies, the drama, and the political loggerheads have been ugly. Pakistan tried to boycott this fixture only to make a U-turn. But all this can add up for nothing if the rain gods don’t keep away from the much-awaited ICC T20 World Cup fixture.
The India vs Pakistan game is ready at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo but the weather has been the most discussed player after, obviously, Usman Tariq. It is meant to be the dry season in Sri Lanka, yet the capital has seen persistent showers over the past week. Pakistan’s warm-up against Ireland was washed out before the main tournament. Drizzle interrupted training on Saturday evening. And now, with just hours to go, the forecast refuses to settle.
Rain threat over in Colombo for IND vs PAK
The Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology has warned of a developing low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, pushing rain probabilities up to 70 percent at certain points in the day. One forecast model suggests 5.1 mm of rain between 6 and 7 PM, the crucial hour before the scheduled 7 PM start. Between 7 and 10 PM, lighter drizzle, around 3.8 mm, is predicted.
There is a window of concern between 1 PM and 6 PM, when rain chances hover between 50–60 percent. However, conditions are expected to improve significantly after 6 PM, with minimal risk once play begins. Local weather updates suggest late-afternoon showers may be short bursts rather than prolonged downpours.
Colombo Weather: Chances of rain (hourly)
| Time | Rain Chances |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | 64% |
| 12:00 PM | 49% |
| 1:00 PM | 61% |
| 2:00 PM | 49% |
| 400 PM | 49% |
| 5:00 PM | 63% |
| 6:00 PM | 49% |
| 7:00 PM | 9% |
| 9:00 PM | 9% |
| 11:00 PM | 9& |
Having said that, if the rain continues to pour down before the match, which will start at 7:00 PM local time, we might be in for a delayed start. The Colombo staff will be having immense pressure on them to make the playing field ready on time, notwithstanding the rain prediction.
What happens if rain intervenes?
If the match is washed out, both teams will share a point, confirming qualification for the Super Eight stage. That would be an anticlimax, but not a disaster for either side.
The venue itself offers hope. Unlike many grounds, the Premadasa has full-field covers and an advanced drainage system. Ground staff manually push accumulated water towards perimeter drains, often clearing the outfield within 45–60 minutes after heavy rain. There is also a 60-minute extra time buffer. The match will start losing the overs only if no ball is bowled before 8:00 PM.
India and Pakistan are meeting for the ninth time in T20 World Cup history. India lead the overall head-to-head 13-3 in T20Is and 7-1 in World Cups. Pakistan’s only win in the tournament over India came in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
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