SSC stadium in Colombo all set to be installed with floodlights ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
SSC ground in Sri Lanka to get floodlights for men’s T20 World Cup.
In anticipation of the Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka and India will co-host in February and March of next year, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) venue in Colombo will receive floodlights and other improvements. Colombo’s day-night matches have all taken place in Khettarama (R Premadasa venue), which is the nation’s largest venue, even if the SSC has occasionally held daytime limited-overs internationals, particularly women’s matches.
The T20 World Cup Group B match between Oman and Zimbabwe, which is set to begin at 3 p.m. local time on February 9, will be the first SSC game that will require lights. This World Cup, the SSC is scheduled to host five games. The first of those, which takes place on February 7 between the Netherlands and Pakistan, will start at 11 a.m. local time, while the third match, which takes place on February 10 between Pakistan and the USA, is the only one that starts at 7 p.m. local time.
At least eight games will take place in Khettarama; if Pakistan advances that far, it may also host the first semifinal and the championship game. Seven games will be held at Pallekele, the only Sri Lanka World Cup location outside of Colombo.
The construction of floodlights at the SSC will create new opportunities for Sri Lankan cricket, making day-night Tests more feasible there. Due Lanka part to their reputation as boutique Test venues, the SSC and P Sara Oval are still favoured for Test matches even if Khettarama is the preferred limited-overs site in Colombo.
Although Sri Lanka has never held a day-night Test, over the years, the country’s Test captains have requested that their board set one up.
The T20 World Cup schedule was released by the ICC on Tuesday. It will take place in five locations in India and three in Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.