India and Pakistan will clash in the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage today after Pakistan reversed its boycott decision following talks with the International Cricket Council and Sri Lanka.
The much-awaited encounter between the two will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at 6:30 PST, marking one of the most watched sporting events worldwide.
Pakistan had earlier withdrawn in solidarity with Bangladesh after their expulsion but later confirmed participation following discussions with the ICC, Bangladesh, and co-host Sri Lanka.
Head-to-Head Record in the T20 World Cup
Pakistan and India have faced each other eight times in T20 World Cups, including two high-intensity clashes in the inaugural edition, one in the group stage and the other in the final.
India hold a dominant record with seven victories, while the Men in Green only win came in 2021 under leadership of Babar Azam, when they secured a historic 10-wicket triumph.
Current Group A Points Table
Pakistan and India have been placed in Group A alongside the Netherlands, the United States of America (USA), and Namibia, with both teams having won two matches each.
The Men in Blue are currently at the top of the points table due to a better run rate, while the winner of the match in Colombo will confirm their spot in the Super 8 stage.
Echoes of Asia Cup 2025 Final
The encounter repeats the 2025 Asia Cup final, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led side secured a five-wicket victory in a contest that carried significant attention from supporters of both teams.
That match was overshadowed by the absence of handshakes and the refusal of India to accept the trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Usman Tariq Emerges as Key Figure
Usman Tariq enters the revived contest after taking 11 wickets in four T20 internationals since his debut, including figures of 3-27 against the United States of America (USA).
His bowling action, reported twice in the past two years, was cleared by the ICC despite criticism from England’s Tom Banton and Australia’s Cameron Green before the event.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha described the mystery spinner as the X-factor in the playing XI, saying he would be a key weapon against India in Colombo.
Tourism Windfall for Sri Lanka
The sold-out fixture, with about 35,000 tickets issued, has sharply increased flight and hotel prices in Colombo, as thousands of supporters travel to watch India face Pakistan.
Hotels in the city have doubled their rates, reaching as much as $660 per night, while flight fares from Pakistan and India have also increased significantly.
Buddhika Hewawasam of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said around 20 percent of 100,000 visitors in early February came for the match, boosting the tourism sector.
Weather Forecast in Colombo
Colombo is expected to experience variable weather during the highly anticipated match, with temperatures ranging from 31°C in the afternoon to 24°C by early Monday morning.
Intermittent rain and thunderstorms are forecast between 14:30 and 20:30, with precipitation chances peaking at 54 percent, potentially affecting play and requiring on-field adjustments.
Wind speeds will remain moderate, ranging from 2 to 6 km/h, with slightly stronger gusts in mid-afternoon, which could influence bowling, fielding, and shot selection during the match.
Pitch Report
The match will be played on the same pitch that hosted Australia versus Zimbabwe earlier, with a thin layer of grass suggesting it may play slightly flatter than the traditionally slow surfaces.
Historically, the R Premadasa Stadium pitch favors spinners, offering grip and turn as the game progresses, but early pace and bounce could benefit batters if conditions remain dry.
If rain intervenes, the surface may become tacky, enhancing assistance for slower bowlers, while spin is expected to dominate in the middle overs, making bowling strategy crucial for both teams.
Probable playing XIs
The Men in Green are expected to field four specialist bowlers, including two spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq, alongside two pacers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Mirza.
The management must decide which all-rounder to drop among Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf, balancing spin options, batting depth, and match-ups against left- and right-handed batters.
With Saim Ayub, Sahabzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, and Usman Khan occupying the top five positions, the management will choose numbers six and seven carefully, followed by the specialist bowling combination.
Nawaz is likely to sit out as a left-arm spinner, while Faheem and Shadab are preferred for their current batting form and leg-spin versatility, though the final decision depends on pitch and weather conditions.
Pakistan:
Saim Ayub, Sahabzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.
India:
Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
