Chasing 176, Pakistan could only manage 114 runs in 18 overs in what said ‘high-voltage’ match at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday
COLOMBO: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-Feb 15th, 2026) India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup group match at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, securing a place in the Super 8 stage.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to field first. Notably, the captains of both teams did not shake hands at the toss.
Batting first, India posted 175 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Salman Ali Agha, while Ishan Kishan top-scored with a 77-run knock off 40 balls before being bowled by Saim Ayub.
Tilak Varma was dismissed for 25 in the 15th over by Ayub, followed immediately by Hardik Pandya, who fell without scoring. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav made 32 before being dismissed by Usman Tariq at a team total of 159. Shivam Dube contributed 27 runs, while Axar Patel was out for a duck.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub was the standout bowler with three wickets, while Usman Tariq, Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each. One batter was run out during India’s innings.
Chasing 176, Pakistan could only manage 114 runs in 18 overs. Usman Khan was the top scorer with 44 runs, followed by Shadab Khan with 14 and Faheem Ashraf with 10.
India’s bowling attack was led by Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bhumrah, and Axar Patel, each taking two wickets. Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav took one wicket apiece.
Pakistan fielded an unchanged playing XI of Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq.
India made two changes to their lineup, including Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI.
With this win, India advanced to the Super 8 stage while Pakistan will look to regroup for their remaining group matches.
India set 176-run target for Pakistan
India posted 175 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs against Pakistan in a crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup group-stage match.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opted to field first. Notably, the captains of both sides did not shake hands at the toss.
India suffered an early setback when opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first over, falling to Salman Ali Agha.
However, Ishan Kishan steadied the innings with an aggressive knock of 77 off 40 balls before being bowled by Saim Ayub.
At a total of 126 in the 15th over, Tilak Varma was dismissed for 25 by Saim Ayub. On the very next delivery, Hardik Pandya was sent back without scoring, also falling to Ayub.
India’s fifth wicket fell at 159 when captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 32 by Usman Tariq. Shivam Dube contributed 27 runs, while Axar Patel was dismissed without scoring. One batter was run out during the innings.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub was the standout bowler with three wickets. Usman Tariq, Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan fielded an unchanged playing XI comprising Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.
India made two changes to their lineup, including Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI.
Pakistan now require 176 runs to secure victory in the high-stakes encounter.
Pakistan opt to bowl first against India after winning toss
Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against India in one of the most anticipated matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha chose to invite India to bat in the high-voltage encounter.
Notably, the captains of both teams did not shake hands at the time of the toss.
Pakistan have retained the same playing XI. The side includes Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.
India, meanwhile, have made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav.
The contest is expected to test both skill and temperament, with batting firepower on one side and a potent bowling attack on the other.
While India boast a formidable batting unit, Pakistan will look to make early inroads through their pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi and a strong spin combination.
Indian batters are reportedly wary of Usman Tariq’s unorthodox bowling action. Ahead of the match, Indian players faced bowlers with similar actions during practice sessions in Colombo to prepare for the challenge.
With nerves, tactics and execution set to play a crucial role, the stage is set for a gripping showdown between the traditional rivals.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
