🏏ICC Men's T20 W C 2026: Group A, M 27: India vs Pak at Colombo🏏 - Page 8

STATS: All three games at Premadasa this World Cup have been won by the side batting first (avg 1st innings 171); in the eight T20Is at the venue prior to this tournament all games were won by the chasing team (avg 1st innings 127).

The two sides have met 11 times in T20Is since 2014, with the chasing side win on as many as 10 instances; the only exception being the 2024 T20 World Cup game in New York when India won.

No handshake between the captains. Also it's interesting that Pakistan have opted to bowl. After the previous win against USA, Salman Agha insisted they like to put runs on the board and then back their strong bowling attack to defend. He said that they do things differently compared to the world. But here he's shown flexibility in adjusting as per the conditions. The record at R Premadasa Stadium heavily favours the chasing team, with 10 wins in 13 matches since 2021.

Just don't give them unnecessary wks boys

Abhishek is tying a bandana on his head before walking out. Kishan joins him and they stride out together to the middle. And guess what, Salman is opening the bowling - only the second time in T20Is informs Wasim Akram. Round the wicket, no slip.

The flags are unfurled and out come the players for the anthems. Pakistan's first followed by India's. Okay, time for some action...

STATS: All three games at Premadasa this World Cup have been won by the side batting first (avg 1st innings 171); in the eight T20Is at the venue prior to this tournament all games were won by the chasing team (avg 1st innings 127).

The two sides have met 11 times in T20Is since 2014,with the chasing side win on as many as 10 instances; the only exception being the 2024 T20 World Cup game in New York when India won.

No handshake between the captains. Also it's interesting that Pakistan have opted to bowl. After the previous win against USA, Salman Agha insisted they like to put runs on the board and then back their strong bowling attack to defend. He said that they do things differently compared to the world. But here he's shown flexibility in adjusting as per the conditions. The record at R Premadasa Stadium heavily favours the chasing team, with 10 wins in 13 matches since 2021.

Out abhishek on 0 run

Abhishek is tying a bandana on his head before walking out. Kishan joins him and they stride out together to the middle. And guess what, Salman is opening the bowling - only the second time in T20Is informs Wasim Akram. Round the wicket, no slip.

Now he is out!

India lost their first wicket!!

0.6

W

Salman Agha to Abhishek Sharma, out Caught by Shaheen Afridi!! Abhishek Sharma c Shaheen Afridi b Salman Agha 0(4)

Salman Agha to Abhishek Sharma, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Bhai Abhishek khata nhi kholna hai kya?

Salman Ali Agha won the toss for Pakistan and decided to bowl first on what he felt was a "tacky" surface. If tacky to begin with, pitches tend to get better as the temperature comes down in the night. India read the game differently. They loaded another spinner into the XI, and their captain Suryakumar Yadav said they would have batted first anyway. That suggests they expect the pitch to slow down enough to counter any disadvantage that possible dew might bring on later in the night. As has been the case since the Asia Cup in September, the captains didn't shake hands at the toss.

While Pakistan remained unchanged, India welcomed back their regular opener Abhishek Sharma, who sat out of the last game with a stomach illness. He took Sanju Samson's place, making it two left-hand batters at the top, and Kuldeep replaced left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh.

Agha might have chosen to chase, but he did say the pitch overall was expected to be slower than SCC, which is where they have been playing in this World Cup so far.

The result at the toss meant we were not far away from the anticipated clash between India's powerhouse batting and Pakistan's latest mysteryspinner Usman Tariq, who bowls without a run-up, whose height of release varies massively from ball to ball, and whose pause in the delivery stride has been discussed endlessly. Four international matches old, Tariq averages under eight per wicket and has conceded less than a run a ball.

Originally posted by: Prizi

0.6

W

Salman Agha to Abhishek Sharma, out Caught by Shaheen Afridi!! Abhishek Sharma c Shaheen Afridi b Salman Agha 0(4)

Salman Agha to Abhishek Sharma, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

What the