IND vs PAK: Pakistan would have been better off not playing, avoiding humiliation; India defeated them again in a one-sided match.

Posted on 16th Feb 2026 by rohit kumar

Matches between India and Pakistan aren't just cricket matches; they also embody emotions, history, and pressure. The latest T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo was a similar one. The only difference was that the match on the field didn't live up to the hype before the start. The result was a one-sided affair, and India won. Pakistan's performance on the field surpassed the pre-tournament threats they displayed. The talkers were left with nothing but empty words, and India once again demonstrated why the BCCI and India are considered a cricketing superpower.

 

 

From Threats to U-Turn

The headlines leading up to this match, or rather the tournament, were dominated by controversies and uproar. By intervening in the Bangladesh issue, Pakistan was publicly ridiculed, and after nine days of drama, it took a U-turn on its own decision.

 

 

The Bangladesh controversy began with Mustafizur Rahman. Following protests over his purchase in the IPL auction, the BCCI asked the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman.

After Mustafizur's exclusion from the IPL, Bangladesh became furious and began making provocative statements.

The BCB, citing security concerns in India, demanded that the T20 World Cup matches not be played in India.

Then, the ICC, headed by Jay Shah, intervened and attempted to resolve the matter.

Bangladesh remained stubborn, and ultimately, the ICC excluded it from the World Cup and included Scotland.

 

 

Pakistan unnecessarily jumped into the Bangladesh controversy

When Bangladesh demanded that the ICC move its matches from India to Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suddenly jumped into the fray. It had written an email to the ICC stating its support for Bangladesh's demand, expressing concerns about the security and political situation surrounding playing matches in India.

 

 

The PCB also sent a copy of the email to other ICC Board members. The PCB also offered to host Bangladesh's matches.

 

Following the ICC's decision on the BCB, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launched a hue and cry.

 

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi accused the ICC of bias in the Bangladesh case and hinted that his team might also boycott the World Cup.

 

Following this, Mohsin Naqvi met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, during which Naqvi informed Sharif of the entire development.

 

On February 1, the Pakistani government announced its decision to send a team to the T20 World Cup on social media.

 

The Pakistani government also decided that the Pakistani team would not play in the February 15 match against India.

 

 

Pakistan's stance softened under the ICC's crackdown.

The ICC took the entire matter seriously and warned Pakistan of possible action. Pakistan was also under increasing pressure. If Pakistan did not play against India, it would face serious consequences and a fine of crores of rupees. To resolve the matter, the PCB met with ICC Vice President Imran Khawaja on February 8th. Following the meeting, it was decided that Pakistan would make a U-turn, and just 24 hours later, the Pakistani government announced the match would be played. The question arises: if Pakistan was going to make a U-turn, why did it resort to the boycott drama? The drama was over, and now it was time for the match. But when the match began, all debates were put on hold, and the focus was on cricket.

 

 

India's dominance from the start

India displayed the expected attitude in the match. The top order wasted no time in adopting an attacking stance. After Abhishek Sharma was dismissed without scoring, Ishan Kishan's plan was clear: put pressure on Pakistan. The run rate in the powerplay pushed Pakistan on the back foot. While India's batsmen capitalized on the opportunity, Pakistan's strategy appeared defensive. Attempts were made to vary their line and length, and spin was used, but the Indian batsmen didn't allow anyone to settle in. Pakistan bowled 18 of their 20 overs with spin, but the strategy failed.

 

 

Usman Tariq was hyped, but his performance.

Pakistan created hype around the two-elbow spinner Usman Tariq before the match. It was said that they would be caught in the mystery of Usman Tariq and that playing him would be difficult. However, the Indian batsmen proved this hype to be baseless. Pakistan's decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved wrong. The team played only one fast bowler. Shaheen Afridi shouldered the entire responsibility, while the rest were spinners. Faheem Ashraf was playing as a pace bowling all-rounder. If Shaheen didn't perform, Faheem would have been even more vulnerable. However, Pakistan didn't give Faheem the ball and kept using spinners, but this strategy also failed.

 

 

The wisdom of the Indian batsmen

When Salman Agha came on to bowl in the first over, commentator Sehwag said that for the first time, Pakistan was doing something different. Abhishek's wicket proved this, but then Ishan Kishan tore apart the Pakistani bowlers. Whether it was Sam Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, or Abrar Ahmed, Ishant took them all. Then came Usman Tariq, but he managed just one wicket for 24 runs in four overs. It wasn't that the pitch was easy to bat on. The ball was turning, but it was the intelligence of Ishan and the other Indian batsmen that they handled the Pakistani spinners so well. They saved wickets and posted a good total of 175 runs. Tariq could only take the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav for 24 runs in four overs.

 

The highest scores in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match

Shadab Khan conceded 17 runs in one over, Agha conceded 10 runs in two overs and took one wicket, Shaheen conceded 31 runs in two overs and took one wicket, Sam Ayub conceded 25 runs in four overs and took three wickets. Abrar conceded 38 runs in three overs, and Nawaz conceded 28 runs in four overs. This pitch wasn't easy to bat on, and India performed brilliantly, scoring 175 runs. This is the highest score in a T20 World Cup between India and Pakistan. Previously, in the 2022 T20 World Cup, India chased down 160 runs, thanks to Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82. Team India is also in third place, having scored 157 runs in the 2007 T20 World Cup final. Pakistan is in fourth place, having chased 152 runs without losing a wicket against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

 

 

Then Pakistan's speech was silenced.

Pakistan's batting made it clear that the pitch was not good for batting. It was good that the match was at a neutral venue, the Pakistanis would have created a ruckus, as India had prepared a favorable pitch. Pakistan had prepared a pitch in Colombo that suited their bowling, which favored spin. Pakistan had created a ruckus over India's victory in the Champions Trophy, claiming that India won because they were playing in the same venue and knew the conditions. Now, Pakistan was also playing in the same venue, but games are won not by rhetoric but by performance and strategy. Pakistan must have realized this by now. While India scored so well on a difficult pitch, Pakistan's batting.

 

 

Pakistan's batting revealed that the pitch was not easy for batting. Whether it was India's pacers or spinners, they put pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. Pakistan lost four wickets for 34 runs and then seven for 78 runs. At one point, it seemed that Pakistan would be bundled out for under 100 runs. Ultimately, the team was all out for 114 runs. This showed that defending champions India were no match, and Pakistan was no match at all. Pakistan's decision to bowl first in a pressure-packed match on a difficult pitch and their subsequent collapse prove that they are simply masters of rhetoric and empty promises, with their performance lacking.

 

 

Difference in Intent

The difference in the approaches of the two teams was clearly evident. Indian players were clear about their roles, while Pakistan's batting and bowling continued to display the same old problems. In modern T20, where aggression is considered essential from the first over, India adopted that, while Pakistan was often seen searching for tempo. Before the match, the atmosphere was built up for a fierce contest. Past records, memorable matches, and big players were all discussed, but the picture on the field turned out to be different. India held the advantage in almost every department.

 

 

A Clear Message in the End

Ultimately, a match that was surrounded by uncertainty, rhetoric, and debate ended up being quite straightforward. India once again demonstrated how crucial preparation, confidence, and a clear plan are on the big stage. Despite the pre-match noise, drama, and speculation, the on-field scenario proved completely opposite. The match was completely one-sided. The Pakistan national cricket team simply couldn't stand up to this Indian team. It was expected that the conditions at the R. Premadasa Stadium would be favorable for spin, and Pakistan had plenty of options, making the contest a close one.