India vs Pakistan highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: India crush Pakistan by 61 runs, secure Super 8 spot

The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to be played on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, despite some earlier uncertainty.

Both teams come into this high-pressure game after strong starts. India, the defending champions, began their campaign by beating the United States and then crushed Namibia by 93 runs.


Pakistan struggled initially against the Netherlands but managed to pull off a thrilling win, followed by a comfortable victory over the USA.

India and Pakistan have often been grouped together in major tournaments. They have been in the same group in the last five T20 World Cups and the previous two ODI World Cups. The last time they were in different groups was in the 2011 ODI World Cup, but they still faced each other in the semi-final, which India won before lifting the trophy.

In T20 World Cup history, India has clearly dominated Pakistan. The two teams have played eight matches in the tournament so far, with India winning seven and Pakistan winning just one in 2021. India also has a strong record at the Colombo stadium, winning 11 out of 15 T20 matches there since 2009.

However, rain could affect the match. Weather reports suggest a high chance of rain during the day, though the chances reduce in the evening.

India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026: Match & Live Streaming Details

Match: India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2026
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Live TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: JioHotstar

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav admitted that the team’s batting has looked a little shaky in the first two matches of the T20 World Cup but expressed confidence in handling Pakistan’s tricky spinner Usman Tariq, describing him as “an out of syllabus question” in an exam.

“See, sometimes there is a question in the exam as well which is out of syllabus. So, we can't leave that question. To tackle that, you have to adopt your own way. Yes, he is a different character when he comes to bowl," Surya said at the pre-match press conference.

He added, “But at the same time, we can't just surrender. We practise with similar types of bowlers and similar actions. We will try to execute what we are practising in the net sessions.” India’s earlier matches exposed some vulnerabilities, with the team reduced to 77 for six against the USA and then losing five wickets for just four runs in the death overs against Namibia.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash on the slow Premadasa wicket, Surya acknowledged the challenge posed by Tariq’s unusual bowling action, which has sparked debates about legality. “We had a scratchy start. You can't run away from the fact that it was not a proper T20 wicket. But I said earlier too that you can't actually brush everything under the carpet. There is no excuse,” he said.

He remained positive about the team’s recovery, noting, “But we came back strongly. So, that's the beauty of T20 cricket. One or two batters I think taking that responsibility makes us cross the line.”

Surya also highlighted the mental challenge of facing Pakistan, saying the key is handling pressure and big moments. “Yes, there will be pressure. There will be nerves, butterflies in the stomach when we start the game tomorrow. But yeah, at the same time, if there's no pressure, no nerves, then there's no fun to play cricket. And yeah, it's a big occasion. But yeah, I mean, every time I say the same thing, at the end of the day, it's just another game. You have to pack your skills, play some good cricket, focus on what you want to do better, and we'll see what happens.”

Despite Pakistan being in Sri Lanka for the past fortnight, Surya remained confident. “They might have some edge. But as I said, we have come here before, we have played in these conditions, we know how the pitch plays, similar conditions to India. It's like the same situation for both the teams. See, it's definitely challenging when you come to Sri Lanka. But then at the end of the day, you have to challenge yourself, somehow find a solution and come out good,” he said.

The blockbuster T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Colombo has whipped up excitement and frenzy among fans on both sides, with supporters praying for victory for their respective teams.

With the high-voltage encounter coinciding with Mahashivratri, cricket lovers across India are offering prayers for a stellar performance from the Men in Blue, while fans across the border are hoping Pakistani players rise to the occasion in the high-stakes contest.

A surge of enthusiasm has swept through the country. From Bihar and Delhi to Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab, groups of cricket fans have been organising special prayers and rituals, seeking divine blessings for Team India’s triumph.

In Patna, fans conducted special prayers for India’s win. One striking portrait depicted the Men in Blue in the form of Lord Shiva, as supporters expressed their devotion and admiration.

In Delhi, many described the India-Pakistan fixture as an epic showdown that commands not just national but global attention.

At the Shri Dudheshwar Nath Temple in Ghaziabad, devotees offered prayers to Lord Shiva and performed ‘Jalabhishek’. They said they also sought blessings for Team India to deliver a commanding performance and secure a decisive victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.

In Surat, Gujarat, young cricketers and coaches shared their anticipation ahead of the match. A budding player noted that Pakistan had initially refused to play but are now set to take the field, expressing confidence that India would have the upper hand. A cricket coach remarked that India-Pakistan encounters invariably stir intense emotions and hoped the result would favour Team India.

In Amritsar, Punjab, cricket coach Pramod Kumar said he has worked extensively with Abhishek Sharma and is confident the youngster will shine in a contest that has captured the attention of millions.

Thirty years ago — Feb 13, 1996 to be precise — an India-Pakistan combined XI played the Sri Lankan team at the Premadasa in solidarity with the war-torn island nation ahead of the World Cup.

In perhaps the only-ever actual India-Pak XI to take a cricket field, the match was an attempt to showcase that Lanka held no threat and was indeed safe to play in.

Three decades later today, in this changed world of no-handshakes, that’s probably an irrelevant anecdote. Or is it?

After an incredible amount of backroom negotiations, this T20 World Cup version of the India-Pakistan rivalry will finally take place in Colombo, signalling a sense of subcontinental ceasefire. The cricket bosses of all five Test-playing nations of the subcontinent, including absentee Bangladesh, are likely to be present at the Premadasa on Sunday.

Even the captains of the two teams seem to have backed off from their shrill dislike of each other. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha had a word or two of praise for India counterpart Suryakumar Yadav, who returned the compliment by saying, “They are a good team and are playing good cricket in this tournament.”

With fans trooping in from different parts of India, the 35,000-strong ground will have a predominantly home ground feel for India.

Pakistan, however, have the advantage of being in Colombo for a while, having played a couple of matches at SSC, and with an extra practice session under their belt. The fact is that the playing arena is bigger than most grounds in India and the pitch for the game is significantly slower than what SKY’s boys have played on of late at home.

Both captains tried to water down the advantage factor for Pakistan. While Agha said it all came down to the performance on the day, Suryakumar said they have played in Sri Lanka many times to know what to expect. “Pakistan may have a slight advantage but we have the experience of so many tours. And we know how to play in these conditions and adjust as per the situation,” the India skipper said.

Spinners and bowlers taking pace off could be key and Pakistan have played the spin quartet of mystery spinners Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed, left-arm finger Mohammed Nawaz and leggie Shadab Khan. It’s likely that Pakistan may drop either Shadab or Nawaz to try and fit in one pacer in Salman Mirza or Naseem Shah.

‘SKY’ emulates Tariq action

The talking point, though, is spinner Usman Tariq and ‘SKY’ accepted that the mystery slinger is “out of syllabus”. “But in an exam, you can’t leave a question like that, can you,” he joked, adding that India are taking preparations to counter the 31-year-old. In fact, once the India nets started, it was Surya who emulated with Tariq’s stop-start action to Abhishek Sharma, who has recuperated well from his illness and is ready to play.

Surya, incidentally, bowled a couple of match-winning spells for India when they played in Sri Lanka at the same ground in a bilateral T20 series in 2024. It remains to be seen if he turns his arm over in match-situation on Sunday.

Practice session cut short by rain

All these equations, though, can go for a toss if it rains on Sunday or if a truncated game is played. As India reached the second half of their practice session on Saturday, they were interrupted by an evening drizzle and the groundsmen immediately covered the entire ground. The forecast isn’t great for Sunday.

Saif, a fourth-division cricketer from Bengaluru, booked his flight, hotel and match tickets two months in advance. He even landed in the Sri Lankan capital three days before the match.

“India is no match for Pakistan. Inshallah, we will beat them,” a jubilant Saif tells TimesofIndia.com on Sunday.

Saif is among the 18,000 Indian fans who have travelled from India to watch the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match.

Then there is Mohammad Infaz, a tuk tuk driver in Colombo who speaks fluent Hindi and echoes sentiments similar to Saif’s.

“India are too strong. I think it will be a one-sided affair. Itna khatarnaak Indian team kabhi nahi dekha (This is the strongest Indian team I have seen). In T20s, on a given day anything can happen, but I have a feeling India will win,” he says while driving this reporter to the R Premadasa Stadium.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Usama, who has travelled from Lahore and is among the 12,000 Pakistani fans, carries a glimmer of hope.

“We have never done well against India in World Cups. But this time, I feel we have an upper edge because we know the conditions better,” says Usama.

The toss will take place at 6:30 PM local time and IST, but fans from both countries began lining up as early as 1 PM. All stadium gates will open to the public at 3:00 PM. A Sri Lanka Cricket official confirmed to TimesofIndia.com that all tickets have been sold out.

Approximately 2,000 police officers and nearly 600 military personnel have been deployed to maintain security and regulate traffic for the match.

The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, but rain could spoil the big game.

Both teams have started the tournament well. India, the defending champions, beat the United States and then thrashed Namibia by 93 runs. Pakistan had a shaky start against the Netherlands but pulled off a close win and then comfortably defeated the USA.


India and Pakistan have been in the same group in many recent tournaments, including the last five T20 World Cups and the previous two ODI World Cups. India has dominated Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, winning 7 out of 8 matches. India also has a strong record in Colombo, winning most of their matches at this venue.

Weather forecasts show a high chance of rain during the day, though it may ease in the evening.

For the match to have a result, each team must play at least five overs.

What happens if rain washes out IND vs PAK T20 World Cup match?

If that doesn’t happen, the match will be abandoned and both teams will get one point each, since there is no reserve day for group-stage games.

But weather remains out of anyone’s control.

If the match is completely washed out, broadcasters will lose advertising money, and fans may get refunds on tickets, which would hurt Sri Lanka Cricket’s earnings.

A washed-out India vs Pakistan match would cause major financial losses for everyone involved.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, devotees at the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple in Jharkhand’s Deoghar offered prayers for India’s victory in Sunday’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan.

India are scheduled to face Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in what will be both teams’ third group-stage fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Marking Mahashivratri, worshippers at the Baba Baidyanath Temple gathered to seek divine blessings for an Indian triumph in the high-profile encounter.

Devotee Randheer Singh expressed hope for a commanding win, saying, "Today I prayed to god Mahadev and Maa Parvati that Pakistan has to be buried and reduced to dust. We need to win at all costs. Their players also need to be reduced to dust. They are not playing in the spirit of the game. They are not playing in the spirit of the game. First, they said they would not play. When they saw they were incurring losses and facing pressure to play, the ICC slammed them, and only then did they agree to play."

Another devotee, Shubham Kumar Jha, also prayed for India to emerge victorious with a substantial margin.

"Mahadev wants India to win. Today is Shivratri too, and the India-Pakistan match is being held today. Today is a very auspicious day, and watching the match is going to be fun. I prayed to God that Pakistan's premium bowler Shaheen Afridi should be dropped and India wins by a good margin," he said.

A third devotee voiced a similar sentiment, hoping for a dominant Indian performance.

"I wish to Mahadev that India scores 200 runs and defeats Pakistan, takes 10 out of 10 wickets and puts Pakistan to shame," the devotee told ANI.

The India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides have played two matches in the tournament so far and remain unbeaten. India head into the contest after wins over the United States of America and Namibia, while Pakistan have registered victories against the Netherlands and the USA.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team currently top Group A with four points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +3.050. Pakistan are placed second with four points as well, holding an NRR of +0.932.

Rehan Fernando sounds upbeat during a 20-minute drive to the R. Premadasa Stadium — not because of the India vs Pakistan clash that has gripped millions across stadiums, living rooms, pubs and social media, but for another reason.

“I am going to get a lot of Uber requests on Sunday for stadium drop-offs and pick-ups. Need to keep Suzuki Every fuelled and ready for the rush hours,” Fernando sing-songs.

The 41-year-old father of two understands that Sunday alone could significantly boost his earnings.

“I heard tickets have been sold out. Who knows! Maybe I will get enough money to do some pending repair works.”

His remarks mirror the broader sentiment in Sri Lanka. For many locals with no direct stake in the rivalry, the India-Pakistan fixture represents a financial opportunity.

Fernando is far from alone. Across sections of Lankan society, there is hope of a windfall.

Shift the scene to the upscale Park Street Mews — the pulse of Colombo’s nightlife.

A short drive along Kynsey Mawatha, past the De Soysa Circle, showcases Colombo at its finest: gleaming buildings, broad and tidy roads, luxury car showrooms, premium clothing outlets and fine-dining restaurants. The two-kilometre stretch reinforces the city’s reputation as a cosmopolitan port hub.

It opens into a lively street lined with pubs and bistros, where on a buzzing Saturday night that stretches till 2 am, Indian and Pakistani visitors outnumber locals.

“We are struggling to find seats for our customers. We generally get good footfalls on weekends, but we have not expected this kind of numbers,” says Michael Amarasiri, store manager at a popular watering hole.

Amarasiri’s connection to Sunday’s blockbuster runs deeper. His brother-in-law operates a travel company, and the uncertainty around the match had created confusion.

“Till last week, we were unsure whether the match would happen or not. We have also received some requests to cancel the room bookings after Pakistan announced its decision to boycott this match.

“But once it was decided to get on with the match, we received calls to revive the cancelled room bookings, and also more fans from India — particularly from Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru — have approached us for two-night or even one-night stays,” he says.

“Yeah, we cannot entertain everyone but we also have tried to link with small-time tour operators and individuals who are giving houses on rent to accommodate as many requests as possible. We also have found out that the airfare has really gone through the roof in the last couple of days,” he adds.

"Maybe we can have more India vs Pakistan matches in Colombo. Why don't we have a bilateral series between them here?" Amarasiri chuckles.

Beyond organised businesses, the informal sector is equally poised to benefit.

Khettarama Road is lined with local vendors selling Indian and Pakistani jerseys, hats and flags. Young men offer erasable tattoos, while makeshift stalls serve lemonade, fruit juice and coconut water to fans queuing under the blazing Lankan sun.

Even the players have taken note. Pakistan captain Salman Agha summed it up.

“I have done at least 4-5 tours of Sri Lanka. I have seen the best people of my life here. They are very nice people and their hospitality is very good. So we are enjoying our time here,” said Salman.

The fans are enjoying it too — and so is the Sri Lankan economy.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said on Saturday that his side had been “always ready” to take on India in Sunday’s T20 World Cup clash, despite receiving final confirmation only a few days ago.

The most high-profile and commercially significant fixture in world cricket has already sold out the 35,000-capacity R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with hundreds of millions more expected to tune in worldwide.

The match was confirmed late on Monday night after the Islamabad government reversed its earlier decision to boycott the Group A contest.

"This is a very big game and the magnitude is huge," Agha said ahead of Pakistan’s training session at the venue on Saturday.

"We were always ready for the game, whatever be the decision."

Pakistan edged past the Netherlands by three wickets in a tense final over in their opener, before registering a 32-run win over the United States. India, too, have won both their matches so far.

"We are in good momentum and I hope that being in Colombo since the start will help us in terms of conditions," Agha said.

But he added a note of caution: "We have to play good cricket to win the match."

The much-anticipated showdown could face disruption, with rain forecast for Sunday evening.

Agha expects spin to play a decisive role and described Tariq Usman as his key weapon against India’s formidable batting unit.

"Tariq has been bowling well and I am sure the mystery element will make him our trump card," Agha said, dismissing concerns over the legality of Tariq’s sling-arm action and the pronounced pause in his delivery stride.

"He has been cleared twice so there are no worries."

Agha also expressed hope that the teams would shake hands this time, unlike during their three Asia Cup meetings in Dubai last year.

"The game should be played in the true spirit of the game," he said.

"It has been the norm in cricket for years but whatever way they want, we will only know tomorrow."

The winner of Sunday’s match will secure a place in the Super Eights stage.

India have a doubt over explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been recovering from a stomach bug.

"I hope he plays tomorrow. I hope he's recovering well," Agha said. "We want to play against the best, good luck to him."

“After all, it’s just a match.” That line rarely applies when India face Pakistan — particularly on the stage of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Still, beyond the tactical manoeuvring and the rising buzz around the contest, the weather could yet play a decisive role.

Forecasts point to warm and humid conditions in Colombo, along with the threat of passing showers and possible afternoon thunderstorms.

In a T20 group fixture, even brief interruptions can carry amplified consequences — overs reduced lead to revised targets, force aggressive recalibration with the bat, and increase dependence on DLS calculations.

Officially, this isn’t a knockout. Emotionally, it carries that intensity.

Though it is a group-stage encounter in the ICC T20 World Cup, the implications extend well beyond two points. In a short tournament, momentum is currency.

A victory here can influence confidence, net run rate dynamics and the psychological upper hand for the remainder of the campaign.

Colombo has already been swept up in the build-up. Flags flutter across the streets, hotel lobbies hum with animated discussions, and fans are expected to assemble outside the stadium hours before the toss. Blue and green will fill the stands — separated by loyalty, united in anticipation.

When India meet Pakistan, recent form often fades in the glare of rivalry. In T20 cricket, margins are razor-thin, pressure more acute and momentum shifts swift.

A blazing powerplay. An unexpected bowling change. A single over that leaks 20 — or yields two wickets.

In a format defined by urgency, there is little room for recovery.

Rain or shine, however, the emotional heat will be unmistakable.

Across the subcontinent, living rooms will fall silent at the first ball. Every boundary will feel pivotal. Every wicket, seismic.

On paper, it is a group-stage match in the ICC T20 World Cup. In reality, when India and Pakistan collide, it bears the aura of a final.

In Colombo tonight, pride, nerves and history will stride out together for the toss.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged on Saturday that however much his team attempted to treat Sunday’s T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan as “just another game”, it carried far greater weight.

"It's a big platform, obviously," Suryakumar told reporters in Colombo, the venue for the high-profile Group A encounter.

"No matter how much you say that it's just another game, it is a big game."

The most high-profile and commercially significant contest in world cricket has already sold out the 35,000-capacity R. Premadasa Stadium, with hundreds of millions more expected to tune in on television.

Confirmation that the match would go ahead came only late on Monday night after the Islamabad government reversed its earlier decision to boycott the Group A fixture.

"We don't play them often, don't even play them regularly," the Indian skipper said.

"But at the end of the day, we try to keep things simple and try to execute our best game.

"There is pressure, but there is a big opportunity," said Suryakumar.

"According to me, when you play an India-Pakistan game, it's more about the occasion."

The captain declined to clarify whether his players would shake hands after having snubbed the Pakistan team during three Asia Cup meetings in Dubai last year.

"I will break the suspense tomorrow," he said.

"Wait for 24 hours, let us play the game which is more important."

India began their title defence with a hard-earned 29-run victory over the United States in Mumbai a week ago, before registering a comprehensive 93-run win against Namibia in Delhi on Thursday.

Suryakumar also downplayed the buzz around Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq and his distinctive sling-arm action, which features a pronounced pause in his delivery stride.

"We have practised with similar types of bowlers and similar actions so we will try to execute what we are practising in the night sessions," he said.

He added that attacking opener Abhishek Sharma has recovered well from a stomach bug and is likely to feature.

Both India and Pakistan have won their first two Group A matches, with the winner set to secure qualification for the Super Eight stage.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of ICC T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Colombo.

Amid the still-smouldering embers of an impasse that mixed cricket with politics like never before, India will need middle-order stability and a fit-again Abhishek Sharma firing to maintain domination over Pakistan when the two bitter rivals clash in the T20 World Cup's marquee fixture here on Sunday.

A temporary ‘peace season’ has dawned after Pakistan made a U-turn from its boycott stand and agreed to take the field against India at the Premadasa Stadium.

It came after weeks of intense parleys involving the International Cricket Council, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Practically, the whole of South Asia was turning the wheel to make this match happen, should the weather gods allow, because of its power to attract millions — fans and bank balance alike.

So, a train of events set off by the BCCI-instructed release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the roster of Kolkata Knight Riders, that transformed into a cross-border crisis, has come to a halt — for now.

Cricketers from both teams have also tried to temper the accompanying swirl of hype, terming this match as just another game in the calendar. It is hard to fathom the precise nature of their thoughts in that regard, but certainly both sides do not want the result to go against them because of the frenzy of negativism it can kick up.

For that, they will have to push thoughts of a fan backlash aside and focus on more controllable factors.

Abhishek’s fitness boost

For India, the worries start with Abhishek as he was forced to skip the match against Namibia with a stomach bug that required hospitalisation.

On the bright side, the left-hander batted for a considerable time at nets on Saturday evening, signalling his recovery.

"If you guys want, we will play Abhishek," skipper Suryakumar Yadav said in a joking mood when the obvious query came up.

It is almost certain that the Punjab man will replace Sanju Samson to open alongside an in-form Ishan Kishan. The nature of the track might also prompt the management to consider left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

However, Kuldeep’s inclusion would likely come at the expense of a batter, with Rinku Singh the unfortunate candidate to miss out. The chinaman bowler’s hold over Babar Azam and his impressive 4 for 30 in the Asia Cup final at Dubai — his last outing against Pakistan — make the temptation stronger.

Middle-order stutter

In the lead-up to the World Cup, India’s batting resembled a bulldozer rolling downhill. But two matches into the tournament have revealed a mild concern — a tendency to lose wickets in clusters.

India slid to 77 for six against the USA at Mumbai, while five wickets fell for just four runs against Namibia in the death overs at New Delhi. The latter collapse was masked by a 200-plus total and a 93-run win. On both occasions, India were bailed out by Suryakumar, Kishan and Hardik Pandya.

A long tournament demands collective effort rather than repeated reliance on individual brilliance. With four points in the kitty, the management may not be overly worried yet, but another bout of profligacy against Pakistan could prove costly.

The Pakistan threat

Following the hybrid model chalked out last year, Pakistan have been stationed in Colombo, giving them a better understanding of the pitch and conditions. The surface at the R Premadasa Stadium has tended to assist slower bowlers, and the 2009 champions have five capable spin options — Usman Tariq, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.

Tariq’s side-arm stop-and-pause action has already become the talk of the town, and his duel with India’s versatile batters promises an intriguing subplot.

"When you get an out of syllabus question, you try to solve it," Suryakumar said in response to a Pakistani journalist.

Pakistan’s batting, led by the irrepressible Sahibzada Farhan — who appeared to have found answers against Jasprit Bumrah in last year’s Asia Cup — along with Ayub and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, can pack a punch on their day.

Without any disrespect to the Netherlands and the USA, Pakistan are yet to face a bowling attack of India’s calibre.

From Bumrah to Varun Chakravarthy, India possess proven match-winners, while pace all-rounder Shivam Dube has improved significantly with the ball in recent times. It gives the defending champions immense flexibility while settling on combinations.

All calculations aside, this match is ultimately about finding mental equilibrium and rising above multi-pointed pressures — external and internal.