India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, left, and Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha stroll previous one another after the coin toss of the T20 World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 15, 2026
| Photograph Credit score: AP
India captain Suryakumar Yadav devoted Sunday’s (February 16, 2026) Twenty20 World Cup victory over Pakistan to followers throughout the nation, whereas his reverse quantity Salman Agha urged perspective after a chastening defeat in a contest that by no means matched its blockbuster billing.
The much-hyped showdown between the South Asian neighbours, who engaged in a navy battle that almost snowballed right into a fully-fledged conflict final yr, did not ignite as India racked up 175-7 after which returned to bundle out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs.
The match itself handed with out flashpoints regardless of the tensions, however there was no shaking of hands between the rival captains at the toss. Each Suryakumar and Salman seemed grim when the coin was flipped and averted eye contact.
The temper was fully totally different when the India captain spoke after the match on the R. Premadasa Stadium.
“That is for India. We performed the identical model of cricket that we wished to play,” the batter stated, sporting a large grin.
Additionally Learn | T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan: Pak’s 18-over spin blitz enters record books
Reward for Ishan Kishan
Suryakumar heaped reward on opener Ishan Kishan whose speedy 77 usual their victory.
“The best way Ishan Kishan batted is similar as he did in our earlier video games and on the home circuit. Ishan thought exterior the field and took duty within the powerplay.”
Participant of the match Kishan conceded it was not simply one other sport for them given the tensions between the nations.
“India v Pakistan is a particular sport for us and our nation,” Kishan stated.
“It’s a crucial sport. They’d good spinners and we tried to play good pictures. It provides us confidence going forward within the event.”
Salman anticipated crew to do higher
The match had been doubtful after Pakistan had determined to boycott it in solidarity with Bangladesh, who refused to tour India over security issues and have been changed by Scotland within the 20-team event.
The governing Worldwide Cricket Council held hectic behind-the-scenes discussions to salvage the fixture although it resulted in a lop-sided contest with India bettering their T20 World Cup report towards Pakistan to 8-1.
Pakistan captain Salman felt his teammates ought to have carried out higher regardless of the burden of expectation on their shoulders.
“In these video games the feelings are going to be excessive however we’ve got performed sufficient cricket,” Salman stated. “We must get ourselves collectively and look to the sport in a couple of days’ time. You must see the massive image. We have to qualify for the Tremendous Eight now.”
Pakistan might want to beat Namibia of their last group sport to qualify for the Tremendous Eight the place the arch-rivals could conflict once more.
Printed – February 16, 2026 07:57 am IST
