India, Pakistan and the promise of a contest

In the recent Asia Cup, which India won 3-0, Pakistan showed gradual improvement under Salman Ali Agha. The margins of defeat narrowed each time, culminating in a close five-wicket loss that required an extraordinary effort from India's Tilak Varma to secure.

Whether Sunday's match is seen as a fresh contest or an extension of India's historical dominance—including a 13-3 overall record and 7-1 in World Cups—will be viewed differently by each side. This Pakistan team is notably different from last year's Asia Cup squad, having added mystery spinner Usman Tariq, widely seen as their trump card.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged Pakistan's recent form: "Okay, I think they've been playing some good cricket recently, what I saw in the last two games."

His comment subtly contrasts with his past view on rivalries requiring balanced records, suggesting a one-sided head-to-head offers no real advantage. When asked about the lopsided record, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman remained silent.

For Pakistan, a win over India remains a Holy Grail. India's potential return of Abhishek Sharma could solidify their opening slot, an area of previous concern. Pakistan appears wary of him, though captain Salman Agha said, "I really hope he plays tomorrow because we want to face the best players they have."

Suryakumar replied simply, "If he wants to play, then we'll play him tomorrow. Done." In an India-Pakistan match, there's always a chance for an overnight hero, like Tilak Varma in the Asia Cup final, and Abhishek could be central to that narrative.

A new dynamic emerges for this fixture. Historically, it pitted Indian batting against Pakistan's fast bowling, but Agha's side has shifted heavily to spin. In their last game, they fielded five spinners and just one frontline pacer, Shaheen Afridi. India says they are prepared.

Another talking point is Pakistan's familiarity with conditions in Colombo, having arrived over two weeks ago, while India landed just 24 hours before. Agha downplayed this as an advantage: "We are used to the conditions, we are acclimatised here. That's the only advantage."

Suryakumar responded: "I don't feel there's an added advantage… We have similar kinds of wickets back home in India also and we have played a lot of cricket here… So we are also very familiar with the conditions."

However, both teams will be playing at the R Premadasa Stadium for the first time in this World Cup, making the venue equally new to them.

All logic and past records tend to blur in India-Pakistan matches, played under extraordinary pressure. The deciding factor may be which side better handles the pressure—or imposes it on the other. Suryakumar's remark that 'it's just another game for us' might be the understatement of the tournament.

When: Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 7 PM local time
Where: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What to expect: A keen contest, high-scoring or low-scoring. While rain is a threat, the venue's efficient drainage should allow a quick restart after any showers.

India: Abhishek Sharma appears recovered and is likely to play. A decision on including Kuldeep Yadav will be made closer to match time.
Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

Pakistan: The team relies heavily on spin, with Usman Tariq as their trump card. They may repeat a five-spinner strategy, with Shaheen Afridi as the lone frontline pacer and Faheem Ashraf as the second.
Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.

Key Stats:

• In 11 T20Is since 2014, the chasing side has won 10 times. The exception was the 2024 T20 World Cup game in New York.
• India have won the last eight completed matches against Pakistan across all formats.
• Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan scored 51 runs off 34 balls from Jasprit Bumrah in the Asia Cup without being dismissed, and is one of only two batters to hit Bumrah for three sixes in T20Is.

Quotes:

"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, there's no pressure, there's no nerves, there's no fun to play cricket. And yeah, it's a big occasion." – Suryakumar Yadav

"I haven't lost sleep but I have a few extra grays in my beard. Yeah it's an added responsibility when you are captain of your side and representing 250-260 million people. You can't run away from the responsibility." – Salman Agha