In a highly anticipated T20 World Cup showdown at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and elected to field first against India on Sunday. The decision sets the stage for another chapter in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.
Team India made two key changes to their lineup. Abhishek Sharma returns in place of Sanju Samson, bringing his explosive batting to the top order. Kuldeep Yadav replaces Arshdeep Singh, bolstering the spin attack amid predictions of a turning pitch. Pakistan, confident in their current form, sticks with an unchanged XI.
Historically, India dominates this fixture. Out of 8 T20 World Cup encounters, India has clinched 7 victories, with Pakistan’s sole win coming in 2021. Across all T20Is, India leads 12-3 in 16 matches. At this venue, India’s record is stellar: 11 wins from 15 games, including 4 out of 5 in the 2012 World Cup.
Weather could play spoiler, with rain threats looming. Spinners are expected to thrive if conditions hold. India tops Group A after thumping USA by 29 runs and Namibia by 93 runs. Pakistan sits second, having edged Netherlands by 3 wickets and crushed USA by 32 runs.
India’s Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Pakistan’s Playing XI: Sam Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.
As the two nations lock horns, fans brace for drama under Colombo skies. India’s batting firepower meets Pakistan’s bowling prowess in a match that could define group standings.