Pakistan cricket team (AP/PTI)

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has reached a critical juncture. A win against Namibia in their final league fixture on Wednesday is non-negotiable if Salman Agha’s men are to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. Anything less, and their tournament ends prematurely.The pressure has mounted quickly. After bold claims that this was a stronger outfit than the one that faltered against India in the Asia Cup, Pakistan suffered a familiar 61-run defeat on Sunday. While their clashes with India in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups were tight, they still fell short. Since the Asia Cup, India have now registered four comfortable wins on the trot, reinforcing Pakistan’s struggles in marquee encounters.

Scrutiny has intensified around senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen failed to control the game in the PowerPlay or at the death, returning figures of 1 for 31 in two overs. Babar’s issues against spin continue to surface — his strike-rate against spin since returning to the T20I side stands at 101.70 — raising questions about balance and intent in the middle order.Selection dilemmas loom. Salman Mirza and Fakhar Zaman are in contention should the management opt for changes. Pakistan’s heavy reliance on spin — 13, 16 and 18 overs across three games — also reflects a side still searching for the right combination.Namibia, though eliminated, are not without motivation. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon as co-hosts, they are keen to gather momentum. For Pakistan, though, the equation is simple: win or go home.In the other fixture, India face the Netherlands in the night game. Having already secured qualification for the Super 8s with three wins from three matches, India will view this contest as an opportunity to fine-tune combinations and tick a few remaining boxes.Abhishek Sharma is yet to get going in this T20 World Cup, and the team management will be keen for their No. 1 batter to spend valuable time at the crease ahead of the knockout stage. Getting runs under his belt could prove crucial in the business end of the tournament.There could also be changes in the bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav might make way for Arshdeep Singh, who was included as an extra spinner against Pakistan. With qualification already secured, India may use this match to test their bench strength and settle on the most balanced XI for the Super 8s.

Today T20 World Cup matches – Tuesday, 18 February

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)