- Historic venue to host day-night cricket for the first time
- Five World Cup matches scheduled at SSC
- Sri Lanka edges closer to hosting its first ever day-night Test
The iconic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo is undergoing a major upgrade, with floodlights being installed ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup that Sri Lanka will co-host with India in February and March next year.
The venue, long considered one of Sri Lanka’s premier Test grounds, has hosted several daytime ODIs and women’s internationals but never a day-night fixture. That will change on February 9 when SSC lights up for the first time to host the Group B clash between Oman and Zimbabwe. In total, SSC will host five World Cup matches, including a 7pm blockbuster between Pakistan and USA on February 10.
Khettarama remains Colombo’s main day-night venue and is set to host at least eight games — potentially including the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan qualify. Pallekele, the only World Cup venue outside Colombo, will host seven matches.
The introduction of floodlights at SSC opens doors for a new era in Sri Lankan cricket, making day-night Test matches increasingly viable. Sri Lanka has never hosted a day-night Test despite repeated requests from national captains, and the SSC and P Sara Oval remain the preferred Test venues due to their boutique charm.
Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that construction at the SSC is already underway, as preparations ramp up for a landmark World Cup scheduled from February 7 to March 8 across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka.
