Pakistan lost key wickets and slipped to 73 for 5 in 11 overs while chasing 176 against India in the T20 World Cup match in Colombo. Usman Khan was the top scorer with 44 before Axar Patel dismissed him to break the stand. Axar finished a tight spell and took two wickets to slow the chase. Kuldeep Yadav also built pressure with spin from the other end. Pakistan had entered this match after a win against the USA in their previous game. Their plan in Colombo relied heavily on multiple spinners to control India’s scoring in the first innings. The chase now needs a strong lower-order effort. (PC: X)

Ishan Kishan scored 77 to set up India’s total of 175 for 7 against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo. He attacked early and reached his fifty in 27 balls. His knock included regular boundaries and kept the run rate high after an early wicket. Pakistan removed him for 72-plus after a strong opening phase. In the middle overs, India lost wickets, including Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. Rinku Singh added quick runs at the end. He hit 2 four and a six in the final over. India scored 16 runs off the last over despite two wickets falling. (PC: X)

India faced a middle-order setback against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo after losing Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya on successive balls. Spinner Saim Ayub removed Tilak with an LBW decision when the batter missed a sweep. On the next ball, Hardik was caught at long-off by Babar Azam after mistiming a shot. Ayub nearly completed a hat-trick but Shivam Dube survived. At that stage, India were 127 for 4 after 15 overs. Suryakumar Yadav stayed at the crease with Dube and carried the scoring role. Earlier, Ishan Kishan gave India a fast start with a 27-ball half-century. (PC: NDTV)

Ishan Kishan scored a fast 27-ball half-century to lift India against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match in Colombo. India lost opener Abhishek Sharma in the first over to captain Salman Ali Agha, who took the new ball. After the early wicket, Kishan attacked and rebuilt the innings with quick runs. The pitch at R Premadasa Stadium looked slow but India kept the scoring rate high. Captain Suryakumar Yadav led the side after winning the toss formalities without a handshake with his counterpart. India left out Sanju Samson and Arshdeep Singh. Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma came into the playing XI. Pakistan kept the same team. (PC: NDTV)

India national cricket team suffered an early setback when Abhishek Sharma fell for a “duck” in the opening over against Pakistan national cricket team in their T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha took the new ball and dismissed the opener immediately. After the wicket, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma took charge of the innings. At the toss, captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands. India changed their playing XI, dropping Sanju Samson and Arshdeep Singh. Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma were added. Pakistan named an unchanged side. (PC: X)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the toss before their T20 World Cup match in Colombo on February 15. India won the toss and chose to bat first, with Pakistan set to bowl. The moment followed India’s no-handshake policy in place since the Asia Cup 2025. When asked about it, Suryakumar avoided details. He said, “Why put so much focus on that? We have come to play cricket.” Agha had earlier said, “Cricket should be played in the right spirit… It’s up to them to decide.” Similar incidents happened in earlier India–Pakistan matches last season. (PC: India Today)

India national cricket team are set to make a major bowling change for the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan national cricket team in Colombo. Reports indicate pacer Arshdeep Singh could be left out, with spinner Kuldeep Yadav likely to come in. This would give India a three-spinner attack alongside Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel. Match-up numbers support the switch. Kuldeep has taken eight wickets in three T20Is against Pakistan at an economy of 6.58. Arshdeep has seven wickets in four matches with a higher economy rate. Weather has stayed clear so far, though clouds remain around the stadium. (PC: HT)

Weather concerns remain ahead of the T20 World Cup clash between India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team in Colombo, with dark clouds around the Premadasa Stadium and rain expected to affect play. Two hours before the toss, rain had stayed away but conditions were cloudy and humid. Reports said there was still no sign of the Indian team at the ground at that time. Ground staff kept the outfield fully covered and drainage systems ready. The match also comes amid continued tension over India’s no-handshake policy against Pakistan. Predicted XIs for both sides were announced before the game. (PC: X)

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised India’s no-handshake policy with Pakistan, calling it “silly” and against the spirit of the game. India have followed this policy since the Asia Cup 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack. Ahead of the T20 World Cup clash, Manjrekar said teams should either follow normal cricket customs or not play. “Either play properly within the spirit of the game or don’t play at all,” he wrote on X. India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not confirm if he will shake hands. Pakistan captain Salman Agha said cricket should be played in the right spirit. (PC: India Today)

Former India batter Dinesh Karthik has warned that India could face a very tough contest against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match in Colombo. He said Pakistan are better prepared for the local pitch and conditions. “Tomorrow will be one of India’s biggest challenges against Pakistan in recent memory,” Karthik told Cricbuzz. He said slow surfaces could test India’s batting against spin bowling. He highlighted Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq as a major factor. Karthik added that India’s batting numbers drop on slow tracks compared to flat pitches. India, however, still hold a strong head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 World Cup games. (PC: X)