T20 World Cup 2026: Moeen Ali dissects Colombo pitch, highlights dew factor ahead of India vs Pakistan clash | Exclusive

England spinner Moeen Ali has shared his insights on Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium and the conditions in Sri Lanka ahead of the marquee clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Moeen reckoned that the surface can be a “little bit tacky” sometimes but went on to add that the India-Pakistan fixture being an evening game could mitigate the stickiness of the wicket, with the ball expected to slide on the bat under lights.

The off-spinning all-rounder also touched upon the potential presence of dew, which could lead to significant changes in the bowling plans for the defending team, as gripping the wet ball will be difficult for the spinners.

“Generally, when I have played there [R Premadasa Stadium], it is a very good wicket. It can be a little bit tacky at times, depending on the time. It [India vs Pakistan] is an evening game. The only issue could be potentially the dew in the second innings, which obviously makes it harder for bowlers,” Moeen said in the recent episode of Mr Cricket UAE’s podcast.

“Generally, the wicket is better to bat on second innings because of the wetness of the dew, because then the bowlers cannot grip it as much," he added.

Asked about how the track will be for the spinners, Moeen stated that if the wicket is indeed sticky, then it could offer significant turn for the spinners. He also explained the nuance of spin in Sri Lanka and how it is different from the turn that is observed on surfaces in India and Pakistan, stating that the ball holds and grips a lot more in Sri Lanka as compared to the other venues in the subcontinent.

“When it is tacky, it spins a lot. And it is a different type of spin than anywhere else. It is not like India or Pakistan. The ball stops and then takes its time getting to the bat. Whereas in India, for example, when the soil is red, it is a bit technical. The ball just bounces and stays still. So, it is a different type of spin, and that is what makes it more difficult in Sri Lanka. But I do not think they are going to go for a really good wicket. I do not think they will make a spinning wicket," he said.

Moeen further commented on the variety of spinners across the two sides, stating that the wrist-spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Abrar Ahmed – could be the potential game-changers. He further commented on India’s weakness against mystery spin, cautioning them against the likes of Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed.

“They [India and Pakistan’s spinners] are all very different. I think the one who will spin it more in the Indian side is Kuldeep [Yadav], because he is more on the seam. Like I said, he is a bit slower on the seam, [gets] a bit more drift. He will be the biggest threat for Pakistan if he plays," said Moeen.

“Varun Chakravarthy, on those types of wickets, he will bowl well. But it will not be a big spin. He is not a big spinner. His mystery is more like in and out, but a little bit. It is the pace that he bowls at that really troubles the batters.

“From the Pakistan side, Abrar [Ahmed] will be tough because he is a little bit slower than Varun and a little bit lesser on the ball, which in Sri Lankan wickets, sometimes that can be tough. So, it will be really interesting because Pakistani spinners are, I think this group of spinners like Saim Ayub is more of a threat than people think with the new ball. And Usman Tariq is a very difficult ball to hit.

“In the past, India have never been great against the flicky type of spinner. They have been good, but not as good as, for example, [Ajantha] Mendis. I do not remember. So, like him, he was always a carrom ball type of bowler. I do not think India have been that great against that type of bowlers," he concluded.