Pakistan vs Ireland Warm-Up Match: T20 World Cup 2026 Kickoff in Colombo
Amidst the ongoing discussions surrounding the India vs Pakistan clash, the Pakistan cricket team, led by Salman Ali Agha, is set to make its first appearance in the T20 World Cup 2026 with a warm-up fixture against Ireland. This match will take place on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is important to note that these warm-up games are not officially recorded in the ICC record books, serving primarily as preparation for the teams.
Pakistan's Form and Key Players Ahead of the Tournament
Pakistan enters the T20 World Cup 2026 on a high note, having recently secured a morale-boosting 3-0 whitewash against Australia in a T20I series. During this series, standout performances came from batsmen Saim Ayub and Salman Agha, who topped the run-scoring charts. In the bowling department, Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed emerged as key contributors against Australia. However, it is worth mentioning that the Australian team was missing some of its top players, which may have influenced the outcome.
Prior to the Australia series, Pakistan drew a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka 1-1, with one game being abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances. This mixed form adds an element of unpredictability to Pakistan's campaign as they gear up for the main event, which commences on February 9, with all of Pakistan's matches scheduled to be played on Sri Lankan soil.
Ireland's Recent Performance and Squad Highlights
On the other side, Ireland faced a surprising defeat in their final match of a three-match T20I series against newcomers Italy in Dubai. Despite winning the first two games, this loss has raised questions about their consistency heading into the World Cup. For Ireland, Harry Tector was the top run-scorer with 150 runs, while Matthew Humphreys led the bowling attack with 6 wickets against Italy. These players will be crucial for Ireland's chances in the warm-up and beyond.
When and Where to Watch Pakistan vs Ireland in India
Star Sports holds the official broadcasting rights for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India. However, the warm-up match between Pakistan and Ireland will not be televised on Indian television. Fans in India can still catch the action through live streaming, which will be available on the JioStar app and website. This provides an accessible option for cricket enthusiasts to follow the game ahead of the mega event.
Live Streaming Options for Pakistan vs Ireland Outside India
For viewers outside India, various platforms will offer live streaming of the Pakistan vs Ireland warm-up match:
- Sri Lanka: The Papare and Dialog Play
- Pakistan: Myco, Tamasha, Tapmad, and ARY Zapp
- Bangladesh: TSM via Rabbithole
- Middle East and North Africa: E&
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
- North America: Willow TV
- New Zealand: ICC.tv
Pakistan vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026 Squads
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
Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
As the T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, this warm-up match serves as a crucial opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and assess player form. With Pakistan riding high on recent success and Ireland looking to bounce back from a setback, the clash promises to be an engaging preview of the tournament's competitive spirit.
