India will take on Pakistan in what promises to be an electrifying Group A match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday (February 15).
As co-hosts alongside Sri Lanka, India enter this fixture as defending champions, boasting a squad blending youth and experience under captain Suryakumar Yadav. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, have reversed an earlier boycott threat to participate, adding geopolitical intrigue to the sporting spectacle. Both teams have started strongly, with India unbeaten and Pakistan securing wins in their initial games.
After the long saga between the two nations, its a relief that the flagship encounter of the T20 World Cup is se to be played. India and Pakistan will be hoping for a crunch
encounter, while the post-match hand shake routine still remains in doubt.
India and Pakistan Squads
India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Usman Khan (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay
India vs Pakistan Team News, Injuries
For India, opener Abhishek Sharma is still doubtful. He missed the Namibia match for a stomach infection and although he has been discharged from hospital, team management will be carefully negotiating his case. If Abhishek doesn't play, Sanju Samson is likely to continue. Apart from that, Kuldeep Yadav may also be introduced but that remains unlikely.
Pakistan have looked a settled side so far and Salman Ali Agha and the team management may not look to change too much coming into this huge encounter. Usman Tariq is set to play a key part for them as the spinner has been troubling batters with his action.
IND vs PAK Prediction, T20 World Cup 2026: Who will Win India vs Pakistan Match Today?
India vs Pakistan Playing 11
Probable India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
Probable Pakistan XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.
