Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza, center, with teammates leaves the ground after Sri Lanka’s inning during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo)

Captain Sikandar Raza said the strong group-stage run by the Zimbabwe at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has earned them respect, and he hopes the team can continue its run in the Super Eights against stronger opponents.Zimbabwe signalled their ability to challenge top teams by defeating Australia and Sri Lanka in Group B matches.“We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present…I don’t think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone’s hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in,” Raza said in the post-match presentation after his team’s win over SL.Zimbabwe now move into the Super Eights, where they will face reigning champions India, two-time champions West Indies cricket team, and 2024 finalists South Africa.But Raza said his side is not intimidated.Also read: Sikandar roars in Colombo: Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka, fire warning shot at India
“We take one game at a time. We arrive on the 21st, and then train on the 22nd, and then it is show-time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story,” Raza added.Reflecting on the win over Sri Lanka, Raza said the hosts fell short of a defendable total.“When we lost the toss, all I said to the boys was if we are truly playing good cricket, why does the toss matter? I bowled, and said finger-spinners are not finding a lot of turn, so we can put them under pressure.“I came into the changing room and said they were 10 runs short (at the break). We have trained for every situation. We have the right personnel to send in at the right time. We have got all those roles clear and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room,” he said.For now, Raza said he wants to enjoy the team’s progress into the Super Eights.“We are unbeaten so far, but it is only the next game that comes into my head. Nice position to be in as a captain but I will try and enjoy at least tonight,” he said.

India will face Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15 in a Group A match of T20 World Cup 2026. The Men in Blue are currently on top in the group. They have played two matches and have registered four points, with a net run rate of +3.050. Pakistan are in second place, with four points and a net run rate of +0.932.

Team India began their campaign with 29-run win over USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In their second group match, they beat Nambia by 93 runs in Delhi. However, India’s batting stumbled in both games, something they would be wary of. Against USA, they slipped to 77-6 before recovering. In the match against Namibia, India went from 104-1 to 124-4.

In some positive news for the Men in Blue, Abhishek Sharma is expected to make his comeback after missing India’s previous T20 World Cup match against Namibia due to a stomach bug. There are also chances that the Men in Blue will go in with a third spinner in Kuldeep Yadav, leaving out pacer Arshdeep Singh.

IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026 match details

Match: India vs Pakistan, Match No. 27 (Group A)

Date and Time: February 15, 7pm IST

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

India vs Pakistan probable playing 11s

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed

India vs Pakistan pitch report

The match will be played on the same surface on which Zimbabwe stunned Australia as the latter failed to chase a target of 170. There was a hint of grass on the pitch on the eve of the India vs Pakistan clash, so batting might be slightly easier than normal.

India vs Pakistan weather forecast

According to AccuWeather, there is a high probability of rain in the morning and afternoon on Sunday in Colombo. However, the conditions are expected to be better in the second half. Both players and fans will have their fingers crossed.

IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026 live streaming details

India: Star Sports (TV) and JioHotstar (Live streaming)

Pakistan: PTV & Myco (TV) and Tamasha, ARY Zapp & Tapmad (Live streaming)