With another home World Cup less than ten days away, the drums are already rolling across the island and the mood is unmistakably festive. Sri Lanka have been down this road before. In 2011 and 2012, the country staged back-to-back global events that were box-office successes, finals appearances for the home side and the unveiling of three new stadiums with capacities north of 30,000, even if Hambantota later came to be labelled, rather unkindly, a white elephant.

Ticket frenzies during those tournaments prompted Sri Lanka Cricket to float an ambitious 60,000-seat stadium at Diyagama, a plan that was eventually bowled out amid protests from former players. Yet, stripped of sentiment, the logic remains hard to dispute. Demand, especially for marquee clashes like India versus Pakistan, continues to be off the charts.

The hospitality sector is already cashing in. A five-star Colombo hotel room that usually goes for USD 150 at this time of the year is now fetching upwards of USD 500, with some properties touching USD 800. Most are sold out. It underlines just how much appetite there is for cricket between two nuclear-armed neighbours who remain at daggers drawn off the field but irresistible on it.

There is also a larger strategic play for Sri Lanka. Given the geopolitics of the region; India unlikely to tour Pakistan or Bangladesh, and vice versa, the island increasingly shapes up as the neutral venue of choice. Dubai offers an alternative, but the Gulf’s extreme heat and eye-watering costs make Sri Lanka a more practical option. Recent moves to add floodlights at SSC and CCC are steps in the right direction and could pave the way for more Asian Cricket Council and ICC events coming Colombo’s way.

On the field, expectations are cautiously optimistic. Sri Lanka should fancy their chances of getting past the first hurdle. Drawn in Group B alongside Australia, Oman, Ireland and Zimbabwe, Dasun Shanaka’s side ought to cruise through the group stage. The real examination will come in the Super Eight phase, where the margins shrink.

Much will hinge on Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s most consistent run getter over the past 24 months. He has not been in full flow of late, but if he finds his rhythm, the hosts can be a handful. Kusal Mendis is also firing on all cylinders and this could be the tournament where he truly leaves his mark. After initially signalling that he was not in their plans, selectors have had a rethink and brought back Kusal Janith Perera, a move that adds experience to the top order.

The soft underbelly remains power-hitting. The middle order lacks a batter who can routinely muscle attacks at the death. Captain Dasun Shanaka can plug that gap on his day, but consistency and his struggles against spin remain question marks.

Bowling, however, is Sri Lanka’s trump card. If the batters can put something respectable on the board, the attack has the tools to defend it. Dushmantha Chameera brings pace and accuracy, Matheesha Pathirana is a nightmare to line up with his awkward, slingy action, while Maheesh Theekshana remains notoriously hard to read. And then there is Wanindu Hasaranga, a genuine match-winner whom opponents approach with extreme caution.

All told, Sri Lanka look a well-balanced outfit on home turf. If a few pieces fall into place, don’t be surprised if they end up upsetting a few established orders before this World Cup is done and dusted.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

It’s  India vs Pakistan, for the first time in the 2026 Under 19 World Cup, being played in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The match on Sunday will start at 0730 GMT (1pm IST/12.30pm PST) in Bulawayo.

It’s the last game of the Super Sixes round and there’s a semi-final spot at stake. England have already made it to the final four from Group 2, so only one of India (six points) and Pakistan (four points) can qualify. For India, it’s straightforward – win and go through. It’s not so simple for Pakistan, whose net run rate of 1.484 is significantly lower than India’s 3.337. Pakistan will need to win by a big margin to equal India’s six points and overtake then on net run rate. For example, if Pakistan bat first and post 300, they need to win by 85 runs. If they bowl first and restrict India to around 200, they will need to chase it down in around 31.5 overs. If the target is, say, 251, Pakistan will need win in about 33.2 overs to make the semi-finals.