Following a blistering 77 off 40 balls, Ishan Kishan was sent back to the pavillion by Saim Ayub as India lose their second wicket at 88.
Tilak Varma and captain Suryakumar Yadav carried the score to 126 with a useful 38-run partnership before Ayub once again came to Pakistan’s rescue, striking twice in successive deliveries to dismiss Tilak and Hardik Pandya.
Tilak scored 25 off 24 balls, while Pandya departed without scoring.
Agha said the decision to bowl first was guided by pitch conditions, describing the surface as slightly tacky and likely to assist bowlers early on. “It is a big game, but everyone is relaxed and focused, and we are looking forward to the challenge,” Salman said at the toss. “This is a bigger ground than the SSC and it is a bit slower as well. We are going in with the same team.”
The contest in Colombo has drawn global attention, with fans and broadcasters bracing for another dramatic chapter in the Pakistan–India rivalry, a fixture that sits at the intersection of sport, emotion and commerce whenever it appears on the international calendar.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said he was unfazed by losing the toss, insisting his side would have chosen to bat first regardless.
“It is easy to say this is just another game, but this is a high-stakes contest,” said the right-handed batter. “Cricket teaches you many things, and anyone can have a good day.”
India made changes to their playing XI, with Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav coming into the side. Suryakumar confirmed that Arshdeep Singh was left out, while suggesting that Sanju Samson could be the other omission.
Historically, India national cricket team have enjoyed the upper hand over Pakistan national cricket team in T20 Internationals, winning 13 of their 16 meetings, with Pakistan managing three victories.
Both teams entered Sunday’s match unbeaten in the group stage, adding further intensity to the encounter. Pakistan recorded victories over the Netherlands and the United States, while India registered wins against the USA and Namibia, setting up a clash that could prove decisive in shaping the group standings of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s bowling attack will be led by pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, supported by all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq are expected to exploit the slower Colombo surface. With the bat, Pakistan will rely on Babar Azam to anchor the innings alongside aggressive openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub.
India, meanwhile, boast a powerful batting lineup featuring Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack and Varun Chakravarthy providing mystery spin in the middle overs.
With qualification scenarios tightening and pressure mounting, Sunday’s Pakistan vs India clash promised another gripping episode in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.
Teams
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
India XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah