Hyderabad, Feb 14: The tournament’s most anticipated fixture has arrived as India and Pakistan will square off in a high-voltage Group A encounter of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, with both sides entering the contest unbeaten.
In a tournament defined by fine margins, one of the two heavyweights will surrender its perfect record. Conditions in Colombo are expected to bring spin into play, and both teams appear well-equipped for that challenge. India’s quartet of Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar gives them variety left-arm orthodox, mystery spin and wrist spin. Pakistan, meanwhile, counter with Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmad and Mohammad Nawaz, forming a balanced spin unit of their own.
At this venue, history leans towards India. The Men in Blue have played 15 T20 Internationals at the R Premadasa Stadium, winning 11 and losing four, a win percentage of 73.33. Their victories here include triumphs over Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan.
The last meeting between the two sides at this ground came in 2012, when India secured an eight-wicket win.
Pakistan’s record in Colombo is respectable but less dominant. They have featured in seven matches, winning four and losing two, reflecting a win percentage of 57.14.
Beyond venue history, the broader T20 World Cup rivalry has been overwhelmingly one-sided. In eight previous World Cup meetings, India have won seven. Pakistan’s lone victory came in the 2021 edition in the UAE, when they defeated India by 10 wickets in a landmark result.
Overall, in 16 T20I clashes between the two neighbours, India hold a commanding 13-3 edge.
Both teams had minor scares in their opening fixtures of the ongoing tournament, India survived a spirited challenge from the USA, while Pakistan were tested by the Netherlands but managed to protect their unbeaten run.
Sunday’s contest, therefore, is more than just another group-stage game. It is a collision of tradition, tactical spin battles and tournament momentum, a match that could shape not just Group A, but the psychological narrative of the World Cup itself.
