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ICC T20 World Cup 2026: India vs Pakistan | Match 27 | Group A | Colombo | February 15 | Pre-Match Discussion

YousafTheBeast said:
This might be the first time we see a changed XI in a icc event that isn’t injury related.

They’ve got to drop Shaheen for Naseem or Mirza.

Farhan
Ayub
Agha
Fakhar
Nafay (wk)
Shadab
Faheem
Nawaz
Naseem/Mirza
Abrar
Tariq
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There is a case for dropping Nawaz for Nafay or fakhar as well.

With so many lefties in India XI, Nawaz is unlikely to bowl a lot
 
Only way Pakistan is winning this one is to chase. Don't see us defending especially with Shaheen being out of form.
 
Brace yourself boys. That’s my cope, for the likely outcome.
 
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heddie19 said:
Honestly thinking we can this time, Spin will deliver. Sahibzada needs to fire again. Babar should bat at 3 and Agha at 4.
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Bhai pak cricketers cannot handle high pressure games. Esp something of this magnitude. I have some trust in Agha, Saim and Abrar they will play with passion; rest might be starstruck seeing Indian players.

Dont forget Rauf how happy he was getting hit by Kohli.
 
rballer said:
Bhai pak cricketers cannot handle high pressure games. Esp something of this magnitude. I have some trust in Agha, Saim and Abrar they will play with passion; rest might be starstruck seeing Indian players.

Dont forget Rauf how happy he was getting hit by Kohli.
Click to expand...
Good news is there is no star of Kohli's stature in current indian T20 team. Their prince Gill is not there. I mean no offense but I don't think anyone would be star stuck to meet SKY, Kishan, Samson etc.

Also there shouldn't be huge pressure of this game, it is just a 2 pointer at the end of the day.
 
For the first time I feel Pakistan spin arsenal is better than Indians..not that they are bowling great, but we have seen in recent Times that Indian batting against spin has degraded and we lost many wickets to foreign spinners who bowled first time in India..so, more the spinners, more chance to trouble indian batters..Varun Chakravarthy looks little off colour, Kuldeep leaks runs before taking wickets, Axar okayish, and Washington not proven much in his bowling..So, it is going to be battle of spinners and won't be surprised if it is going to be low scoring match..
 
Major said:
Better team, beat us 3 nil in the same country. Pakistans middle order sucks, shaheen sucks
Click to expand...
Why was on “IA”, why would you wish that… even if Ishan Kishan the worst person to play for India I would still never wish to lose
 
Seeing all these posts showing their preferred XIs takes me back… haven’t posted one in a while since Pak nosedived big time from around 2023 and then after the 2024 USA loss I stopped entirely.

Will tune in for traditional rivalry reasons and for the conclusion of Handshake Saga 🤝 but not really invested as much into player performances outside of Saim and Farhan special who I guess have now become the torch carrier from Fakhar and before whom was supposed to be Sharjeel… but alas..
 

Tangled in green: How Pakistan's spin cycle could trap India in the big rivals clash:​

T20 World Cup: Pakistan's spin attack has found its perfect stage in Colombo. With five wicket-takers and India's batters struggling on spicy tracks, the rivals might finally have a weapon that could do some damage.

Usman Tariq's run-up is a study in deception. He approaches the crease like Bruno Fernandes approaches a penalty—stop, stutter, wait. The batter commits. The ball doesn't. It hangs, dips, turns, and by the time the strokemaker realises what's happened, the stumps are rattled or the edge is found. Since March 24, 2025, against Faisalabad, Tariq hasn't gone a single match without taking a wicket. 23 consecutive games. 23 times he's made someone look foolish.

Two games into the T20 World Cup, Pakistan sit unbeaten atop Group A. They've survived the Netherlands with last-gasp heroics and dismantled the USA with clinical efficiency. Both wins came in Colombo, where the R Premadasa Stadium pitch had something to offer for the spinners.

THE CHAMP IS HERE
The defending champions arrive in Colombo on February 15 with history on their side—13 wins in 16 T20 meetings, including seven of eight at World Cups.
But for the first time in years, Pakistan might have found India's vulnerability: a pitch that grips and turns, spinners who know exactly how to exploit it, and an Indian batting order that looked fragile before Suryakumar Yadav's rescue act against the USA.
In T20 cricket, where one bad over can flip everything, Pakistan's five-man spin attack could finally tangle India in green.

THE WEB PAKISTAN SPUN
Tariq isn't alone. Pakistan's spin attack has quietly become one of the most lethal forces in T20 cricket since the 2024 World Cup final. Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz have claimed 47 wickets a piece, in that span. Saim Ayub has 26. Add Shadab Khan, fresh off an all-round masterclass against the USA, and suddenly Pakistan can field five spinners who've been hunting wickets.

The numbers tell the story of Pakistan's resurgence. Since that 2024 final, they've won 29 of 49 matches—not far behind India's 32 wins in 42 games among full member nations.

They've learned from their Asia Cup mistakes, built depth, and found a formula that works in subcontinental conditions. In Colombo, where they've been training for two weeks while India were finishing their group stage elsewhere, that formula has found its perfect testing ground.

INDIA'S ACHILLES HEEL

"It's going to be a challenge going to Colombo, where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks," admitted Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach. The concession was small, almost grudging. But it was there.

India's opening match against the USA exposed cracks that Suryakumar's brilliance papered over. On a spicy Wankhede pitch, India's batters struggled badly before their talisman's unbeaten 84 rescued them to a 29-run win.

Man for man, India still looks stronger. But T20 cricket doesn't work on paper comparisons. It works on moments, on conditions, on who handles pressure when the ball starts doing things batters don't expect.

Pakistan's spinners have made careers out of creating those moments. On turning tracks, against strokemakers who want to dominate, they've become executioners. India's aggressive batting style—built on taking risks early and often—could walk straight into the trap.

THE MOMENTUM SHIFT
Confidence built on track record matters. India have earned their favourites tag through years of dominance over Pakistan. But momentum has a way of mattering more in tournaments, and right now, Pakistan have it. Two wins. A settled bowling attack. Home conditions. And perhaps most dangerously, belief.

The boycott controversy that threatened to derail their tournament will be behind them. Pakistan know they have a weapon that works, and they're facing an opponent that might not be ready for it.

When Tariq begins his stuttering run-up on February 15, when Abrar tosses the ball up and watches it grip, when Nawaz slides one past the outside edge, India will face a question they haven't had to answer in years: what happens when Pakistan actually have the advantage?

History says India finds a way. But in Colombo's spin-friendly cauldron, history might finally meet its match if the champions are not on top of their game.

www.indiatoday.in

Tangled in green: How Pakistan's spin cycle could trap India in the big rivals clash

T20 World Cup: Pakistan's spin attack has found its perfect stage in Colombo. With five wicket-takers and India's batters struggling on spicy tracks, the rivals might finally have a weapon that could do some damage.
www.indiatoday.in www.indiatoday.in
 
Abhishek is having stomach infection, Pakistan have an outside chance now.

Pakistan also has advantage of playing all their matches in Colombo.
 
chakdeindian said:
For the first time I feel Pakistan spin arsenal is better than Indians..not that they are bowling great, but we have seen in recent Times that Indian batting against spin has degraded and we lost many wickets to foreign spinners who bowled first time in India..so, more the spinners, more chance to trouble indian batters..Varun Chakravarthy looks little off colour, Kuldeep leaks runs before taking wickets, Axar okayish, and Washington not proven much in his bowling..So, it is going to be battle of spinners and won't be surprised if it is going to be low scoring match..
Click to expand...
We should play only two pacers: Bumrah and Hardik.
And go with three proper spinners: Varun, Axar, and Kuldeep.
Backup bowling options: Dube and Abhishek
Unfortunately, Arshdeep and Siraj would have to sit out.

But I highly doubt that the management will make these changes, and they might continue with the current pacers.
 
Babar will be a liability against india's quality attack his slow strike rate will put pressure on others causing them to gift their wickets away. Similar to Rizwan slow strike rate in the last T20 world cup.
He is not a T20 Player T20 cricketers have evolved, he has not. It will come back to haunt Pakistan.
 
Inswinging Yorker said:
Babar will be a liability against india's quality attack his slow strike rate will put pressure on others causing them to gift their wickets away. Similar to Rizwan slow strike rate in the last T20 world cup.
He is not a T20 Player T20 cricketers have evolved, he has not. It will come back to haunt Pakistan.
Click to expand...
should be dropped
 
This is likely the finals, India and Pakistan are favourites to win it all, should be an extremely fun and competitive match.

On paper, India should win but Pakistan are not that far behind as some people think.
 
JaDed said:
Easily our worst team, not sure why we have Kishan, colombo is ideal for PCT to win against us.
Click to expand...

What’s wrong with Ishan Kishan? I feel he is playing really well and alongside Abhishek gives us a power boost at the top.

Compared to Sanju he is light years ahead, atleast on current form.
 
big_gamer007 said:
This is likely the finals, India and Pakistan are favourites to win it all, should be an extremely fun and competitive match.

On paper, India should win but Pakistan are not that far behind as some people think.
Click to expand...
Pakistan were mostly facing B teams in their recent T20I series since Hesson joined. So it still is only 30% chance for Pakistan and 70% for India.
 
Ball Blazer said:
Pakistan were mostly facing B teams in their recent T20I series since Hesson joined. So it still is only 30% chance for Pakistan and 70% for India.
Click to expand...
I'm don't follow T20 cricket closely but that seems absurd.

Pakistan has the advantage of being fully acclimatised, playing all it's games in a single city, an excellent spin attack covering all bases. They also have a longer rest in local conditions ahead of the match while the Indian team will have to play in cold Delhi weather tomorrow and immediately fly down for the game.

While it's true that India does seem to have the better T20 team in general and has a good recent track record against Pakistan recently, I'm surprised you don't consider this match close to 50-50.
 
Shaheen in this tournament has been paying tribute to his best bro Haris Rauf, to ensure Pakistan don't miss him.
 
Red-Indian said:
I'm don't follow T20 cricket closely but that seems absurd.

Pakistan has the advantage of being fully acclimatised, playing all it's games in a single city, an excellent spin attack covering all bases. They also have a longer rest in local conditions ahead of the match while the Indian team will have to play in cold Delhi weather tomorrow and immediately fly down for the game.

While it's true that India does seem to have the better T20 team in general and has a good recent track record against Pakistan recently, I'm surprised you don't consider this match close to 50-50.
Click to expand...

Exactly this, with one added proviso.

It is a given that any India Pakistan white ball game starts at 50:50, even if one side is the Visually Challenged Village XI and the other has 6 Bradmans, 1 Adam Gilcrist, 3 Malcolm Marshalls and 1 Shane Warne.

That’s just how it is.
 
Red-Indian said:
I'm don't follow T20 cricket closely but that seems absurd.

Pakistan has the advantage of being fully acclimatised, playing all it's games in a single city, an excellent spin attack covering all bases. They also have a longer rest in local conditions ahead of the match while the Indian team will have to play in cold Delhi weather tomorrow and immediately fly down for the game.

While it's true that India does seem to have the better T20 team in general and has a good recent track record against Pakistan recently, I'm surprised you don't consider this match close to 50-50.
Click to expand...
We're Pakistan fans who have seen the same old story play out plenty of times. Call it imposter syndrome if you must but even if the chances are 95-5 in favor of Pakistan we would never give any chance to Pakistan.
 
Pakistan missing Abbas Afridi. Could have been vital on these pitches with his change of pace and variations. Ellis today took three wickets in the powerplay with his back of the length deliveries and slower balls at Premadasa
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
We're Pakistan fans who have seen the same old story play out plenty of times. Call it imposter syndrome if you must but even if the chances are 95-5 in favor of Pakistan we would never give any chance to Pakistan.
Click to expand...
I sort of sympathise but this is probably as good an opportunity to beat India as the Pakistan team will have for ages. On top of all the factors I mentioned earlier - single location, rest, spin attack, you're also playing in a venue that perfectly suits Pakistan. Average scores at Premadasa from what I can see are in the 160s-170s - right up their alley...not the 250+ that the Indian team has been batting to on roads recently.

Of course there's the mental factor where the Indian team seems to have the wood on Pakistan for a few years now but it's silly to consider this anything but 50-50.
 
Red-Indian said:
I sort of sympathise but this is probably as good an opportunity to beat India as the Pakistan team will have for ages. On top of all the factors I mentioned earlier - single location, rest, spin attack, you're also playing in a venue that perfectly suits Pakistan. Average scores at Premadasa from what I can see are in the 160s-170s - right up their alley...not the 250+ that the Indian team has been batting to on roads recently.

Of course there's the mental factor where the Indian team seems to have the wood on Pakistan for a few years now but it's silly to consider this anything but 50-50.
Click to expand...
You make some good points. I have only one thing to say - no comment :jk
 
big_gamer007 said:
What’s wrong with Ishan Kishan? I feel he is playing really well and alongside Abhishek gives us a power boost at the top.

Compared to Sanju he is light years ahead, atleast on current form.
Click to expand...
Absolute dud against even remotely better bowling and that annoying attitude. Tashan Kishan
 
harshjoshi87 said:
Abhishek is having stomach infection, Pakistan have an outside chance now.

Pakistan also has advantage of playing all their matches in Colombo.
Click to expand...
I think this might go in favor of India as Samson is more of a muscle player than Abhishek and Samson will do well on slow pitches.
 
Ishan Kishan is down, in a lot of pain after getting hit by a Jasprit Bumrah toe-crusher. Left toe!

Damn we are really face some problem.

First Bumrah, Then Abhishek now kishan.

:kp
 
Devadwal said:
Ishan Kishan is down, in a lot of pain after getting hit by a Jasprit Bumrah toe-crusher. Left toe!

Damn we are really face some problem.

First Bumrah, Then Abhishek now kishan.

:kp
Click to expand...
Lol stop listing excuses, we want PCT humiliation or else you will be targeted here by @Major sb..... Also don't you dare shake hands with them and MUST dedicate victory to Pahalgam victims.... #HaiHimmat

#SackNaqviOrShutUp
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Lol stop listing excuses, we want PCT humiliation or else you will be targeted here by @Major sb..... Also don't you dare shake hands with them and MUST dedicate victory to Pahalgam victims.... #HaiHimmat

#SackNaqviOrShutUp
Click to expand...
bhai major saab khood udaas hai failed boycott kay baad.

Im mentally prepared we qualifying without winning the India game. Focus Namibia per rakho saray
 
Major said:
bhai major saab khood udaas hai failed boycott kay baad.

Im mentally prepared we qualifying without winning the India game. Focus Namibia per rakho saray
Click to expand...
Yes, Naqvi is a clown. Just soured the taste of continued potential whining by some board and fans.
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Lol stop listing excuses, we want PCT humiliation or else you will be targeted here by @Major sb..... Also don't you dare shake hands with them and MUST dedicate victory to Pahalgam victims.... #HaiHimmat

#SackNaqviOrShutUp
Click to expand...
What ? Where are excuse? I just posting the update , we will win regardless who will Play. Period. :klopp :kp
 
The Bald Eagle said:
Lol stop listing excuses, we want PCT humiliation or else you will be targeted here by @Major sb..... Also don't you dare shake hands with them and MUST dedicate victory to Pahalgam victims.... #HaiHimmat

#SackNaqviOrShutUp
Click to expand...
Excuses are by Pak posters. By their logic, Pak is playing all their games in Colombo, so should have a massive advantage right like Ind had in CT with Dubai.. Well, as I have always said, a game is played on the ground and everything goes outta the window. The better team wins period.. Ind is 90-10 fave to win this contest. Would be a massive upset if Pak win.. Can Pak win?? Of course , anyone can win on their day especially in T20s but Ind is the absolute fave here. :)
 
India should rest all the players who are even only half fit and bring in guys like Jaiswal in. This is not a must win game for India. But we need fit players. Cannot have half fit players. Not sure why they played Abshihek in the first match when he was running fever.
 
Cover Drive Six said:
We should play only two pacers: Bumrah and Hardik.
And go with three proper spinners: Varun, Axar, and Kuldeep.
Backup bowling options: Dube and Abhishek
Unfortunately, Arshdeep and Siraj would have to sit out.

But I highly doubt that the management will make these changes, and they might continue with the current pacers.
Click to expand...
They will go with Washi also as he adds off spin to the variation. Maybe they will drop Rinku Singh unless Abhishek is not fit..
 
Saim will come out, hole out to deep midwicket after a couple of runs, Babar will go into his shell like some frightened kitten, Farhan will jog on his merry way but will eventually get out due to pressure of the situation.

Fakhar may put up some fight but the rest will fold like a deck of cards resulting in another damp squib of a defeat. Seen this movie so many times.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
India should rest all the players who are even only half fit and bring in guys like Jaiswal in. This is not a must win game for India. But we need fit players. Cannot have half fit players. Not sure why they played Abshihek in the first match when he was running fever.
Click to expand...
must win to satisfy ego* I guess
 
Abhishek Shama is down with stomach infection. He might just be fit enough to play the Pak match. But there is some doubt hanging over his head.
 
IAJ said:
What had happend to the Pakistanis on this forum? One keeps praying Pakistan lose, and then there is another who is calling for ban on a Pakistani spinner’s action🤦🏽‍♂️
Click to expand...

Coping mechanism is kicking in. They know the PCB will field a trash team and even though it is a trash team, so many of the Pakistani fans are beholden and activists for a clearly hyped and serial failures. So the best coping mechanism is to focus on tangents.
 
chakdeindian said:
They will go with Washi also as he adds off spin to the variation. Maybe they will drop Rinku Singh unless Abhishek is not fit..
Click to expand...
Rinku is a waste of space. Washi can bat like Rinku and Washi also adds his offspin to the mix.

Abhshek/Samson
Ishan
Tilak
SKY
Dube
Hardik
Axar
Washi
Kuldeep
Varun
Bumrah

India will have 7 bowling options and can bat till No.8.
 
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