With the ICC T20 World Cup just days away, teams have stepped up their preparations through warm-up matches as excitement builds ahead of the global tournament.
Only three days remain before the official start of the mega event, and practice games are playing a key role in helping squads fine-tune their combinations and strategies.
Pakistan and Ireland were scheduled to face each other in a practice match on Wednesday in Colombo, drawing attention from cricket fans eager to see both teams in action.
However, persistent rain disrupted proceedings, forcing officials to abandon the Pakistan–Ireland practice match without a single ball being bowled.
The washout denied both sides a valuable opportunity to assess their form and make final adjustments ahead of the tournament opener.
Meanwhile, other practice matches produced competitive contests and clear results, giving teams momentum and confidence before the World Cup begins.
In one such encounter, Afghanistan delivered an impressive performance by defeating the West Indies by 23 runs in a high-scoring warm-up match.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a strong total of 182 runs for the loss of six wickets, showcasing aggressive batting and solid partnerships.
West Indies struggled to keep up with the required run rate during the chase and eventually finished on 157 for seven, falling short of the target.
In another exciting practice game, Namibia edged Scotland by a narrow six-run margin in a thrilling contest.
Namibia put up a massive total of 226 runs for four wickets, putting pressure on the Scottish batting lineup from the outset.
Scotland responded with a determined chase and came close to pulling off a remarkable win, but ended on 220 for five.
As the countdown to the ICC T20 World Cup continues, these warm-up matches are offering early glimpses of form, fitness, and team balance.
Fans now eagerly await the tournament’s opening matches, hoping for high-quality cricket and memorable performances on the world stage.
