IND vs PAK Highlights: India Qualify For Super 8 As Pakistan Implodes; Dropped Catches A Concern

That brings us to the end of our live coverage from this Group A encounter in Colombo! 

It was a comprehensive team performance from India with the only spot of bother being the number of dropped catches in the outfield. That's something the team management will no doubt address but for now the Men in Blue will be thrilled about extending their unbeaten run in the tournament with yet another dominant performance. 

India are next in action on February 18 as they take on Netherlands in their final Group A outing in Ahmedabad. Pakistan meanwhile take on Namibia on the same day as they'll need a win to seal their passage into the Super 8. 

From Colombo, that’s all from us tonight. Stay tuned to our page for continued coverage of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Salman Agha (Pak Captain): Our spinners had an off day. Execution was missing in some parts. We believe in our spinners, they've done well in last six months. We lost too many wickets in the powerplay with the bat. In the first innings it was tacky, the ball was gripping as well. The execution was missing with the ball. Pitch played better in the second innings than it did in the first. In these kind of games, the emotions are always going to be high. Have to deal with it. Have played enough games like that. Have a game in two days time, have to look forward to that. Need to win that game and qualify for the Super Eights. Then it's a new tournament again.

Suryakumar Yadav (Ind Captain): I think this is for India. We played the same brand of cricket what we wanted to play. Batting first was better option on this wicket. Ishan thought something out of the box. After 0/1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing. It's difficult to say when you're batting first. Because you never know if there will be dew or how the pitch will play under lights. But we felt it was 15 above par. 155 could've been a tight game. It was great to see everyone contributing with the ball. We'll go back, have a good time together as a team and then think about the other games when we take the flight to Ahmedabad.

Ishan Kishan walks away with the Player of the Match award for his blistering knock of 77 from just 40 balls. 

Kishan: "I think the wicket wasn't that easy in the beginning. You just have to believe and focus on your strength. Wanted to make them run as much as possible to my side. I worked a lot on my off-side play. I was just trying to keep it simple. I had that in mind that we need to put 160-170 runs and it will be a good total for us. India v Pakistan is always a special game not only for us but for our country as well. Winning this game against Pakistan will give us a lot of confidence and we will look to keep the momentum going. When Shaheen was bowling I didn't feel like the ball was doing much for the pacers but how Bumrah and Hardik bowled in those two overs was incredible."

It was a top team performance for India although they were helped by some poor decision making from the Pakistan batters who just couldn't figure out the right approach on what was a tricky pitch. 

Hardik Pandya (2/16) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) were the pick of the bowlers with Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) and Axar Patel (2/29) also picking up two wickets each. 

Kuldeep Yadav (1/14) and Tilak Varma (1/11) accounted for the other wickets in what was a clinical win for Team India. 

Usman Khan (44 off 34 balls) provided the sole resistance for Pakistan with Shaheen Afridi (23* off 19 balls) finishing as the next highest scorer. 

India win by 61 runs to seal their Super 8 berth and virtually ensure they'll finish on top of the group. 

Hardik Pandya [2.0-1-8-1] returns to the attack and he's not a happy chap initially after two dropped opportunities! 

DROPPED! The first chance comes in the 2nd delivery as Hardik fires it down leg and the ball brushes off the gloves of Afridi but somehow Ishan loses focus at the last moment and puts it down. Hardik isn't happy at all and he makes sure Kishan knows what he thinks about that. 

DROPPED AGAIN! If Hardik was angry after that ball he's absolutely furious now as Shaheen pulls it high towards midwicket and Kuldeep Yadav comes around but sees it pop out of his palms and cross the boundary for SIX! Kuldeep did well to make up the ground and should've done better there. 

BOWLED! Usman Tariq b Hardik Pandya 0 (3)
Hardik takes matters into his own hands as he fires in a full delivery to Tariq who is beaten all ends as he plays the wrong line and sees his stumps rattled. 

Pakistan 114/10 after 18 overs. 

India are giving their part-time bowling options a chance to get some overs under their belt now as Rinku Singh comes into the attack. 

Shaheen makes room and thumps the first ball over extra cover for FOUR. He then gets low and uses the slog-sweep on the 3rd delivery to send it flying over square leg for another FOUR. 

Rinku does well to give away just a single off the last 3 balls. Incase anyone is wondering, Pakistan need 70 off the last 18 balls to win. 

Pakistan 106/9 after 17 overs. 

Varun Chakaravarthy [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack and immediately makes an impact. 

Afridi mistimes the slog on the first ball as it lands safely at long-on for a single. Faheem connects well with the slog on the 2nd ball but it's cut off for 2 runs at the ropes. 

CAUGHT! Faheem Ashraf c Rinku Singh b Varun Chakravarthy 10 (14) 
Ashraf rocks back and goes for the pull but doesn't get any timing behind the shot as he sends it flying high towards midwicket for an easy catch. 

TRAPPED! Abrar Ahmed lbw b Varun Chakaravarthy 0 (1)
That's two-in-two for Chakravarthy as Abrar looks to play across the line but misses completely with the ball hitting him on the back pad. They go for the review but it's in vain as three reds mean Pakistan lose both the man and their review. 

Hattrick Ball! Usman Tariq is the new man in and Chakravarthy beats him with a clever googly that hits the pads. Suryakumar goes for the review but it's too high and missing leg-stump! 

Excellent over from Chakravarthy as just 3 runs and 2 wickets come off it. 

Pakistan 97/9 after 16 overs. 

DROPPED! Tilak does well to give away just 2 runs off the first 3 balls. He then fires one full onto the stumps and Shaheen swipes hard but mistimes the shot sending it flying high into the night sky. Tilak calls for it himself as he's running back towards the ropes but it pops out of his palms at the last moment. 

Not an easy one to take and Tilak brushes it off as just 5 runs come off the over. 

Pakistan 94/7 after 15 overs. 

Kuldeep restricts the batters to just singles in his 3rd over as Pakistan seem to just lose steam in Colombo. It's been a disastrous evening especially for their top order and there can't be much hope placed on their lower order with the required run rate now hovering at 14.5 needed per over. 

Just 5 runs come off the over. The equation stands at 87 needed off 36 balls now if Pakistan hope to pull off a miracle. 

Pakistan 89/7 after 14 overs. 

Tilak Varma, right-arm off break, comes into the attack and immediately strikes gold! 

CAUGHT! Shadab Khan c Shivam Dube b Tilak Varma 14 (15)
Pakistan seem to be in a hurry to end things here as India's part-time bowling option Tilak Varma strikes with his very first delivery. Shadab gives Tilak the charge but makes poor connection as he picks out Dube at long-off who takes an easy catch. 

India are already into the Tail here as Shaheen Afridi walks out to bat and gets off the mark with a single. Faheem Ashraf plays a good inside-out lofted drive on the 4th ball for FOUR but it all seems in vain now. 

6 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

Pakistan 84/7 after 13 overs. 

Pakistan are imploding in Colombo! 

The over begins with promise as Nawaz gets a hold of a full-toss from Kuldeep and launches it over midwicket for a one-bounce FOUR! 

CAUGHT! Mohammad Nawaz c Shivam Dube b Kuldeep Yadav 4(5)
Kuldeep sends down another full toss on the 4th delivery and this time Nawaz doesn't connect well with the slog as he picks out Dube at deep midwicket who makes no mistake. 

Faheem Ashraf walks out to bat as Kuldeep finishes with two dots. 

Pakistan 78/6 after 12 overs. 

Axar Gets The Breakthrough! 

Usman Khan could feel the pressure rising after Axar gives away just two singles off the first three balls. 

STUMPED! Usman Khan st Ishan Kishan b Axar Patel 44 (34)
The Pakistan batter gives Axar the charge on the 4th delivery but misses completely as Axar lands it short to beat the blade with Kishan doing the rest behind the wickets. Pakistan are reeling under pressure in the middle with India firmly in the driver's seat. 

Mohammad Nawaz, left handed bat is the new man at the crease and he's BEATEN immediately as he looks to defend on the 5th delivery. He then blocks out the final ball. 

Pakistan 73/5 after 11 overs. 

Kuldeep Yadav is introduced into the attack and he restricts the batters to just singles off the first three balls. 

BEATEN! Kuldeep then brings out the googly on the 4th delivery and just about beats the outside edge of Shadab who leans forward to drive. That was close and Shadab knows it as he shakes his head in relief. 

Kuldeep does well to give away just singles off the last two balls. Just 5 runs come off the over. 

The asking rate is slowly rising for Pakistan as 105 is needed off 60 balls. 

Pakistan 71/4 after 10 overs. 

ALMOST! Usman launches the 1st delivery from Axar high towards long-off and Tilak does well to make up the ground and put in a dive but the ball just doesn't stick as it escapes for FOUR. 

Usman celebrates by thumping the next ball right back over Axar's head for back-to-back FOURs. Axar though responds well as he gives away just a single off the next four balls. 

Pakistan 66/4 after 9 overs. 

Shadab does well as he backs away on the first delivery and plays a late dab to send the 1st ball past point for 3 runs. He shows great batting smarts on the 3rd delivery as he uses the reverse paddle to send it flying over short third man for FOUR. 

Both batters take singles off the next two balls as 10 runs come off it. This is better batting from Pakistan. 

Pakistan 57/4 after 8 overs. 

Axar Patel continues after the powerplay. Shadab gets low and paddles the 1st delivery for a single. 

Usman gives Axar the charge on the 3rd delivery and flicks it over midwicket for FOUR. Axar responds with a couple of dots. 

The last ball is sliding down leg and Usman does well to help it along its way for another FOUR. 9 runs come off the over. 

Pakistan 47/4 after 7 overs. 

Here's a look at that lethal double-wicket over from Bumrah in the Powerplay! 

"THEY CANNOT PLAY HIM!" 🔥

Jasprit Bumrah gets Saim Ayub & Salman Agha out in the same over! Pakistan are 3 down 🥶

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/2mVlsnJBqI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026

Varun Chakaravarthy, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack for the final over in the Powerplay. 

Usman goes for the lofted drive on the 2nd delivery and mistimes the shot but it lands short of the man at long-off as they run two. Varun does well to restrict the batters to singles off the next two balls and finishes off with two dot balls. 

Just 4 runs come off the over as Pakistan end the powerplay with just 38 runs coming with a loss of 4 wickets. 

Pakistan 38/4 after 6 overs. 
 

Another one bites the dust! 

This isn't smart batting at all from Pakistan as Axar Patel enters the attack and strikes to prise the 4th wicket. 

The over starts with promise for Pakistan as Usman plays a good inside-out lofted drive for FOUR on the 2nd delivery and follows it up with another similar shot for back-to-back FOURs. He then shows some batting smarts to rotate strike with a single. 

BOWLED! Babar Azam b Axar Patel 5(7)
There's nothing smart about this though by Babar as he gets down on one knee and goes for a big slog only to miss the ball completely and watch helplessly as the bails light up! Another soft dismissal for Pakistan as India firmly gain the upper hand in this contest. 

Shadab Khan is the new man in and he survives an LBW appeal as the impact seems to be outside the line of the stumps. 

9 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

Pakistan 34/4 after 5 overs. 

Bumrah is breathing fire at the moment in Colombo as he restricts the batters to just singles in the over. He even sends down a 145 kmph yorker on the 4th delivery and Usman does well to just about get his bat down in time and dig it out. 

Just 4 runs come off the over as Bumrah keeps up the pressure on Pakistan. 

Pakistan 25/3 after 4 overs. 

Usman Khan joins Babar at the crease as Pakistan look to stem the flow of wickets. Babar gets a thick edge on the 1st ball but it lands safely for a single. 

Usman blocks out the next two balls but then gets off the mark in style as he plays a beautiful lofted drive on the 4th delivery to send it flying over the ropes for SIX! 

Hardik responds with a shorter delivery that beats the attempted pull shot from Usman. He then finishes with a slower delivery that Usman cuts but it's well fielded at backward point as they only get a single. 

Pakistan 21/3 after 3 overs. 

It's all happening in Colombo! 

Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack and Saim Ayub goes for the slog on the very 1st ball and gets lucky as a thick top-edge flies over third man for SIX! 

LBW! Saim Ayub lbw b Jasprit Bumrah 6(2)
What a response from Bumrah! He sends down a lethal inswinger and Ayub is beaten by pace as the ball hits him flush on the pads. Pakistan go for the review but there's nothing there to save him as Pakistan lose both openers early. 

Babar Azam walks out to join his captain at the crease and gets off the mark with a couple off the 3rd ball and then rotates strike with a single. Bumrah goes full on the 5th ball but Salman flicks through midwicket for FOUR. 

CAUGHT! Salman Agha c Hardik Pandya b Jasprit Bumrah 4(4)
Once again it's an instant reply from Bumrah! Salman heaves at the last ball but only gets a big leading edge sending it flying towards mid-on where Hardik takes a comfortable catch. This isn't smart batting from the Pakistan captain as they lose their third early wicket. 

13 runs and 2 wickets come off the over. 

Pakistan 13/3 after 2 overs.  
 

What a start by Hardik Pandya! 

Sahibzada Farhan defends on the 1st delivery and then fails to find the gaps on the next two balls. 

CAUGHT! Sahibzada Farhan c Rinku Singh b Hardik Pandya 0(4)
Hardik bangs the 4th delivery short and Sahibzada Farhan goes for the pull but loses shape as he only sends it flying high towards mid-on where Rinku Singh makes no mistake. 

Salman Agha walks out to bat and is beaten straight away as Hardik is breathing fire in Colombo. He starts off with a wicket-maiden in the first over of the innings. 

Pakistan 0/1 after the first over. 

Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub walk out to open the batting for Pakistan while it looks like Hardik Pandya has been handed the new ball toopen the attack. 

Sahibzada Farhan is on strike to face the first delivery. 
 

Ishan Kishan played an absolute blinder but none of the other Indian batters could replicate his destructive form. Kishan blazed his way to 77 off just 40 balls, scoring at a strike-rate of 192.5 to push India ahead at the start despite losing Abhishek Sharma (0) in the first over. 

However, Saim Ayub (3/25) pulled things back for Pakistan as he got rid of Kishan in the 9th over and then returned to land a heavy double-blow in the 15th over, getting rid of both Tilak Varma (25 off 24 balls) and Hardik Pandya (0) off consecutive deliveries. 

Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed with a steady knock of 32 off 29 balls while Shivam Dube (27 off 17 balls) and Rinku Singh (11* off 4 balls) provided a late flourish. 

India 175/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 77; Saim Ayub 3/25)

Shaheen Afridi [1.0-0-15-0] who has bowled just one over so far is back into the attack to delivery the final over. 

He starts off with a slower delivery and Dube smashes it straight down the ground for FOUR to give India the perfect start to the over. Dube looks to loft the 2nd ball but mistimes the shot as they get just the single. 

Shaheen delivers another slower one and this time Rinku slices it over backward point for FOUR. Rinku then sits back and gets under the yorker on the next delivery to send it flying over midwicket for SIX! 

RUN OUT! Rinku slaps the 5th ball to cover and wants to come back for two but pulls out of the run at the last moment leaving Dube stranded. It's a sharp throw by Nawaz back to the keeper and Usman Khan does well to whip off the bails in double-quick time to catch Dube short. Shivam Dube run out (Mohammad Nawaz/Usman Khan) 27(17) 

CAUGHT! Axar Patel looks to finish with a big slog but doesn't connect cleanly as Saim Ayub, who has been stunning in the first innings, comes running in to take a really good diving catch. Pakistan just pulling things back on the last two deliveries. 

16 runs and 2 wickets coming off the final over. 

India 175/7 after 20 overs. 

Tariq comes in to bowl his final over and Dube gives him the charge on the 2nd delivery, sending it flying back over the bowler's head for FOUR. He then looks to pull but misses completely as the ball flies off the pads for a leg bye. 

CAUGHT! Suryakumar Yadav c Saim Ayub b Usman Tariq 32(29) - Tariq gets a wicket on the penultimate ball of his spell as Suryakumar looks to slog over midwicket but doesn't get enough on it as he finds Saim Ayub right on the ropes. 

Rinku Singh walks out to bat and goes for an aggressive slog-sweep but mistimes the shot as the ball rolls back to Tariq. 

India 159/5 after 19 overs. 

Abrar Ahmed [2.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack and he's welcomed with a beautiful lofted punch by Suryakumar on the 1st ball for FOUR. 

Both batters keep the scoreboard ticking with singles off the next three balls. Dube then spots the shorter delivery early and capitalises on that error as he sends it flying into the stands over midwicket for SIX. He then flicks the last ball for a single. 

Good over for India as 14 runs come off it. 

India 154/4 after 18 overs. 

Another good over for Pakistan as Usman Tariq [2.0-0-16-0] returns to the attack. 

He restricts the batters to just four singles in the over as neither Suryarkumar nor Dube can find the boundaries. India won't be happy with this scoring rate especially after that start from Ishan Kishan and they'll be eager to get going in the final three overs. 

Tariq meanwhile will be happy with this over as just 4 runs come off it. 

India 140/4 after 17 overs. 

Nawaz just takes the sting out of the Indian attack with some disciplined lines restricting both Suryakumar and Dube to singles off the first 4 balls. 

The 5th delivery is a tad short and this time Dube rocks back and muscles the pull over midwicket for FOUR. He then slaps the last ball through cover for a single. 9 runs come off the over. 

India 136/4 after 16 overs. 

Saim Ayub has just sent ripples through the Indian batting line-up as he takes two-in-two to get rid of both Tilak and Hardik Pandya. He then gives Shivam Dube a mighty scare on the hat-trick delivery but the Indian batter survives. 

The over began innocuously with Suryakumar chopping the first ball for a single.

LBW! Tilak then goes for the sweep but is beaten all ends up as Ayub barely appeals with the ball thumping into the back pad. Tilak has a chat with Suryakumar and both rightly agree not to review as Hardik Pandya makes his way to the middle. [Tilak Varma lbw b Saim Ayub 25(24)]

CAUGHT! Hardik reaches out and goes for the big lofted drive immediately but fails to connect cleanly as he only sends it flying high towards long-off where Babar Azam makes no mistake. Hardik walks back on a 'Golden Duck' as Pakistan players wheel off in celebration. [Hardik Pandya c Babar Azam b Saim Ayub 0(1)]

HAT-TRICK DELIVERY! There's drama on the hat-trick ball as Ayub finds grip and Shivam Dube is beaten past the outside edge with the keeper whipping off the bails. Pakistan go for the review but there's no edge and his foot is safely planted which mean they lose one review. 

Terrific over through from Ayub as just 2 runs and 2 wickets come off it. He bowls out with figures of 4-0-25-3. 

India 127/4 after 15 overs. 

There's a bit of a lull in the scoring as Pakistan have taken the sting out of the contest with some disciplined bowling. Suryakumar sweeps the 1st delivery to deep square leg for 2 runs but fails to find the gap on the next two balls. 

He then sweeps hard again on the 4th delivery and this time a misfield from Shadab Khan at the edge of the ropes sees it escape for FOUR. The pressure just showing as Shadab is usually excellent in the field. 

Nawaz does well to give away just a single off the last two balls. Just 7 runs come off the over. India will be looking to accelerate going into the final six overs now. 

India 125/2 after 14 overs. 

Tariq finds turn on the 1st delivery but Suryakumar lofts it over cover for 3 runs. The batters are then restricted to just singles off the next three balls as Tariq doesn't give them much room to work with. 

He fires the 5th delivery wide down leg and has to reload. There's width on offer on the last ball as Tilak cuts it past short third man for 2 runs. 10 runs come off the over but importantly for Pakistan no boundaries. 

India 118/2 after 13 overs. 

Nawaz offers flight on the 1st delivery and this time Tilak breaks the shackles as he plays a beautiful inside-out lofted drive to send it flying over cover for SIX. Nawaz responds with a lethal turner that beats the blade and hits Tilak on the pads. 

The pitch has something in it for spinners as both batters stick to singles off the next three balls. 

LBW REVIEW! Suryakumar goes for the sweep on the last ball but is beaten as it hits him on the pads. The Umpire isn't convinced and Pakistan go for the review. It looks really close and ball-tracking says it's only clipping leg stump leaving it to 'Umpire's Call'. Suryakumar can consider himself a lucky man to get away with that one. 

India 108/2 after 12 overs.

That was some knock from Kishan to keep the momentum in India's favour despite losing his opening partner in the first over. 

Ishan-daar. Zabardast. Zindabad. 🙌@ishankishan51 completes his fifty in just 27 balls - the fastest in an IND vs PAK World Cup match! 💪

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/UoNO2JFVAO

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026

Finally the 'mystery spinner' Usman Tariq, right-arm off break, comes into the attack. Suryakumar welcomes him into the attack by waiting deep in the crease and whipping the 1st ball through midwicket for FOUR. He then punches the 2nd ball to cover for a single. 

Tilak seems to be struggling to find some rhythm as he fails to find the gaps on the next two balls. He's then beaten on the 5th delivery as it flies past the edge and the keeper whips off the bails but his foot is firmly planted inside the crease. 

Tilak mistimes the pull on the last ball for a single. 6 runs come off the over. 

India 98/2 after 11 overs. 

Mohammad Nawaz, Left arm orthodox, is the latest spinner to be introduced into the attack but still there's no sign of Usman Tariq. Pakistan must be saving him for the death overs. 

Suryakumar can't find the gap on the first delivery and Nawaz does well to restrict them to just singles off the next two balls. There isn't much turn on offer for Nawaz but still Suryakumar is only watchful on the 4th delivery as he defends. He then taps the 5th delivery past point for a single. 

Good over from Nawaz as just 3 runs come off it. 

India 92/2 after 10 overs.

Finally there's some relief for Pakistan as Saim Ayub provides the breakthrough they were praying for. 

The first two balls only yield singles as Ayub finds some grip on the pitch. Kishan then switches stances and uses the reverse-hit to send the 3rd ball flying over backward point for FOUR! 

WICKET! Kishan backs away looking to open up the off-side but this time Ayub gets the ball to spin away sharply as the ball hits the top of the stumps. Kishan departs after scoring 77 off just 40 balls. 

Captain Suryakumar Yadav walks out and gets a thick edge to cover to get off the mark with a single. 7 runs and a wicket come off the over. 

India 89/2 after 9 overs. 

A fourth spinner is introduced into the attack in the form of Shadab Khan, right-arm leg break but the result is the same for Pakistan as Kishan stays on the offensive.  

Kishan sweeps the 1st delivery to deep backward square leg for 2 runs. He then gets low and connects beautifully with the slog-sweep to send the 2nd ball flying into the stands for SIX. Shadab fires the 3rd ball down leg and this time Kishan sweeps it to deep square leg for FOUR. 

Kishan keeps up the attack as he charges out on the 4th delivery to send it flying towards long-on for 2 more. He then goes for the reverse-sweep on the 5th ball showing his full array of shots now for a couple more runs. Kishan mistimes the pull on the last ball but gets a single at midwicket. 

Big over for India as 17 runs come off it. Kishan though is down with some severe cramps as the Physio comes out to treat him. 

India 82/1 after 8 overs. 

Abrar Ahmed continues his spell but this time is met by a belligerent Kishan who shows great touch and awareness by using the pace on the 1st ball to dab it past short third man for FOUR. 

Kishan then thumps the 2nd ball straight back over the bowler's head for FOUR more as he brings up his FIFTY off just 27 balls. He celebrates by slapping the 3rd ball through extra cover for a third consecutive FOUR. 

Abrar responds with a couple of dots as Kishan pulls the last ball to deep midwicket for a single. 

India 65/1 after 7 overs. 

Ayub continues his spell as both batters grab singles off the first two balls. Kishan then looks to slap the 4th delivery over mid-on and just about manages to get it over the leaping Afridi for a FOUR. That was risky and Kishan does well to just rotate strike on the 5th delivery. 

Tilak then gets lucky on the final delivery as Ayub draws a thick outside edge that flies past the keeper and finds the ropes for another FOUR. 11 runs come off the over. 

India 52/1 after 6 overs. 

A third spinner introduced in the powerplay now as Abrar Ahmed, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack. This time Kishan gets down on one knee and welcomes him with a mighty slog for SIX over backward square leg. 

Abrar replies with a couple of dots but the 4th delivery is a tad too short and this time Kishan slaps it through covers for FOUR. He goes for the drive on the 5th ball but gets a big inside edge which yields a single. 

India 41/1 after 5 overs. 

Pakistan stick to pace-off in the Powerplay as Saim Ayub comes in to replace Shaheen Afridi. 

The tactic seems to work as Kishan can't take any runs off the first two balls. There's no keeping the Indian opener quite for too long though as he rocks back and pulls the 3rd ball over square leg for FOUR. 

Kishan thumps the 5th delivery down the ground but this time hits Tilak at the non-striker's end. Kishan ends with a single to keep strike for the next over. Just 5 runs come off this one and Pakistan will be happy with that return. 

India 30/1 after 4 overs. 

There are a couple of shaky moments in the 3rd over as Kishan keeps up the onslaught against Salman Ali Agha. He starts off confidently with a slog over mid-on for FOUR. Kishan then looks to sweep on the 3rd delivery but only gets a big top-edge as the ball flies high but lands safely at deep square leg. 

The batters take singles on the next two balls. Kishan then looks to go big again on the last delivery but doesn't get to the pitch of the ball and is lucky once again as it lands short of the fielder at long-off. 

Kishan living dangerously at the moment but he keeps the scoreboard ticking nicely for India. 

India 25/1 after 3 overs. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi comes in to bowl the second over and he's welcomed by a rampaging Ishan Kishan who is keen to not let that early dismissal affect Team India's approach. 

Kishan pulls the first delivery beautifully sending it flying into the stands over square leg. He then gets a bit lucky as a big inside edge on the next ball sends it flying past the stumps and to the boundary ropes. Kishan does well to rotate strike with a single on the 3rd ball. 

Afridi sends down a lethal outswinger on the last delivery and Tilak gets lucky as a thick edge flies past the man at wide slip and finds the ropes as he gets off the mark with a FOUR. 

India 16/1 after 2 overs. 

Pakistan have the breakthrough! 

Kishan watchfully blocks out the first delivery but then skips down the track and muscles the 2nd delivery to deep midwicket as he gets off the mark with a single. 

Abhishek fails to find the gap in the off-side on the next three balls as Salman sticks to a disciplined line. But then disaster strikes as Salman delivers one onto the stumps and Sharma looks to clear the in-field but only picks out the tall Shaheen Shah Afridi at mid-on. 

That's back-to-back ducks for Abhishek at the World Cup as the ploy to start with spin pays rich dividends for Pakistan. 

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha himself takes on responsibility to bowl the first over. Pak starting off with spin will be interesting especially with both Indian openers always eager to get going early. 

Ishan Kishan will face the first delivery with Abhishek Sharma at the non-striker's end. 

It's only the second time that Salman Ali Agha is opening the bowling for Pakistan in T20Is. 

Both teams have walked out to a burst of pyrotechnics on the field for the national anthems. It's Pakistan first followed by India. The Stadium is awash in a sea of green and blue as the fans build up a noisy atmosphere ahead of the first over. 

It looks like both captains have got what they were looking for out of the Toss. 

Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan captain): We want to bowl first. It looks a bit tacky, so we feel it will assist the bowlers for the first few overs so we want to use that. We are relaxed in our group and excited for this challenge. Bigger ground than SSC and the pitch is slower than SSC. Same team for us.

Suryakumar Yadav (India captain): Not at all, we were looking to bat first. We won the last two games defending so we don't want to change it. It is an occasion, it's a high-stake game. This sport teaches you a lot of things, any side can win the game on a given day. Two changes. Abhishek Sharma comes in and Kuldeep Yadav is in for Arshdeep Singh.
 

Two changes for India as Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav return to the Playing XI with Sanju Samson and Arshdeep Singh making way. Both changes expected as Abhishek looked fit and ready to fire in the net sessions yesterday following his recovery from the stomach bug that kept him out of the game against Namibia. Kuldeep too will be a useful weapon on this pitch that is known to offer a considerable turn to spinners. 

Pakistan meanwhile remain unchanged from their last outing against USA. 

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan (WK), Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.
 

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has won the Toss and announces that his side will bowl first. 

Kerala-born rapper Hanumankind just raised the temperatures a notch at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with a live performance ahead of the India–Pakistan clash.

The hip-hop artist, whose high-energy sets have gained international traction, just took the stage ahead of the Toss, drawing loud reactions from the crowd as he performed. 

As of early evening ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash in Colombo, skies over the R. Premadasa Stadium remain overcast but rain has not yet halted play preparation. Reports from the ground show cloudy, humid conditions ahead of the toss which is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Most forecasts suggest that the probability of rain drops sharply around and after the scheduled start time which is 7:00 PM, improving prospects for a largely uninterrupted match, though light rain or delays remain possible.

However, the ground staff are on alert with covers ready incase of any downpour. 

Pitch No. 4 will be in use for today’s India-Pakistan clash at the R Premadasa Stadium, and it brings with it a noticeable boundary imbalance.

For a right-hand batter facing from the Maligawatte End, the off-side square boundaries are the longer hits.  The boundary ropes past point sits at roughly 75 metres and extra cover stretches to around 79 metres. On the leg side, however, square leg is closer at about 68 metres, with midwicket only marginally deeper at 69 metres.

That difference of nearly 10 metres between the larger and shorter sides, could have a direct bearing on tactics. Bowlers may prefer operating from ends that push batters towards the longer side, while lines and field placements could be adjusted depending on match-ups. In a game of thin margins, even subtle dimensions like these can influence how aggressively teams approach certain phases. 

India and Pakistan will not engage in the customary pre-match handshakes during their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, sources speaking to the PTI have indicated.

According to PTI, the decision has been communicated internally, although there has been no official confirmation from either board so far ahead of the game.

During the Asia Cup 2025, India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha following the Pahalgam terror attacks.

For many, the India vs Pakistan match, which they don't have any direct connection with, is a money spinner. 

Read on to know more about how the India-Pakistan match has given Sri Lanka tourism and economy a much-needed shot in the arm. 

Check out the full story here - India vs Pakistan: Sun Shines On Lanka Tourism, Economy

Coming into this game, both teams arrive unbeaten. India on the back of comfortable victories over the USA and Namibia, while Pakistan overcame the Netherlands and the USA in their first two outings. With two wins from two matches, both sides are level on four points with India head on a much healthier Net Run Rate of 3.05 as compared to Pakistan's 0.93. 

This contest therefore, is less about survival and more about supremacy and bragging rights. The winner is likely to top the group heading into the Super 8 stage, an advantage that could influence match-ups in the next round. Against that backdrop, individual battles could prove decisive.

Here's a look at the individuals who could decide the outcome today - India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2026: Six Players Who Could Shape The Colombo Showdown

The Indian think tank would've been relieved watching Abhishek Sharma blazing through his big shots at nets in Colombo on Saturday, after the big-hitting opener had to skip the match against Namibia and spent a day at a private hospital in New Delhi because of a stomach bug. 

However, as reported by PTI, the left-hander showed no signs of weariness while batting at the RPICS nets for close to 30 minutes. India's training session was, however, hampered by light but persistent rain, driving the team members to the indoor nets. 

Abhishek batted against spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy first up, smashing both the spinners to the far corners of Premadasa in a symbolic warning to the array of Pakistan spinners led by unorthodox Usman Tariq. 

After the spinners, the 25-year-old did an equally fluent job, carting the Indian pacers and local bowlers with sheer abandon. 

"If you want him to play, then we will play him tomorrow!"

When facing the media ahead of the big game, skipper Suryakumar Yadav gave a veiled confirmation of Abhishek’s readiness to take the field against the cross-border rivals. 

“Okay, if you want him to play, then we will play him tomorrow. All the worries are over?” he said with a wide smile. 

Pakistan is likely to go in with four specialist bowlers in Colombo today -- two spinners and two pacers -- against arch-rivals India, according to sources as reported by the PTI.

A source close to the team said head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha were keen to go into the match with both specialist spinners Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq and also two specialist fast bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Mirza. The team management is also likely to make a call on dropping one all-rounder from among Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf.

“The only problem for the team management is: if they go in with four specialist bowlers, they have to make a call on who will sit out among Faheem, Shadab and Nawaz,” the source said. He added it could be Nawaz who ends up sitting out of this game.

“The feeling is better to play Faheem as he is in good batting form and will be the third pacer if required and Shadab whose leg spin will be useful against the southpaw batters,” the source said.

He said that with Abrar, Usman, Shadab and Saim Ayub available as the spin options, the team management is confident they can manage without Nawaz in the high profile match.

But he insisted that the decision could change after having a final look at the Premadasa stadium pitch on Sunday and also seeing how the weather holds up.

Probable Pakistan Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Sahabzada Farhan (WK), Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

India and Pakistan have served plenty of drama during their face-offs at the T20 World Cups. 

India have been the dominant side in these contests, having won seven of their eight T20 World Cup meetings, with Pakistan registering just one victory, but that was an emphatic 10-wicket win in 2021.

Here's a quick run through of the eight T20 World Cup clashes between the two sides - India Vs Pakistan: A Look Back At All T20 World Cup Clashes Ahead Of Colombo Showdown

Yesterday, the Sri Lankan Department of Meteorology had warned of a low-pressure system developing in the Bay of Bengal which indicates a high risk of rain that could disrupt the game today. So far there hasn't been any sign of rain from Colombo but there are clouds hanging over the R Premadasa Stadium. 

However, even in the likelihood of a disruption due to unseasonal showers, the top-notch drainage system in the stadium along with covers that ensure the entire field is protected offer hope of a quick restart. 

You can read all about the weather reports and the excellent rain protocol at the R Premadasa Stadium here - India vs Pakistan Under Rain Threat in Colombo: All Eyes On The Sky As Clouds Loom Large