In a one-sided affair at Colombo, India steamrolled Pakistan by 61 runs in T20 World Cup 2026’s 27th clash. Post-defeat, skipper Salman Ali Agha laid bare the reasons behind the debacle, zeroing in on a catastrophic start in the powerplay.
Tasked with chasing 176, Pakistan’s top order imploded. Four wickets tumbled in just 4.5 overs, setting a tone of desperation. The innings folded at 114 all out in 18 overs, handing India a dominant win. ‘Losing 3-4 wickets early means you’re forever chasing the game,’ Agha reflected candidly.
Opting for a spin-heavy attack with four tweakers proved costly. ‘It wasn’t their day, and we missed key executions,’ he explained. Despite a better batting surface later, poor adaptation sealed their fate. Agha emphasized emotional control in these intense rivalries.
Points table shake-up: Pakistan slips to third in Group A (1-2 record, NRR -0.403), behind USA’s strong showing. India marches on to Super-8 with three straight wins.
Salman Ali Agha remains optimistic. With Namibia up next on the 18th, victory is essential for Super-8 hopes. ‘We’ve navigated tough spots before. Two days to regroup, win big, and reset for the next phase,’ he declared. Can Pakistan salvage their campaign?