India and Pakistan are set to face off in Match 27 of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, February 16. This match is part of a busy day featuring three games. The clash between India and Pakistan will take place at 7:00 PM IST at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Earlier in the day, West Indies will play Nepal in Mumbai at 11:00 AM IST, followed by the USA vs. Namibia match at 3:00 PM IST in Chennai.
The India-Pakistan match faced some challenges prior to the event. Initially, Pakistan announced they would not play against India after Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup. However, following discussions between the PCB and the ICC, it was confirmed that the match would proceed as scheduled.
Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha stated that his team aims to perform well without being influenced by past encounters.
In response to questions about whether the teams would shake hands, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav emphasized the importance of the match itself without providing a definitive answer.
Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad
Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Pakistan has won both of its Group A games so far, starting with a win over the Netherlands and another victory against the USA. Their final Group A match is against Namibia.
India T20 World Cup Squad
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.
India has also won its first two games, defeating the USA in Mumbai and Namibia by 93 runs in Delhi.
Head-to-Head Record Between India and Pakistan
In their 16 T20 World Cup encounters, India has won 12 times, while Pakistan has secured three wins, with one match ending in a tie. India holds a 6-1 record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, with one match tied, which India won via a bowl-out.
Probable XI for Both Teams
Pakistan Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed.
India Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo: Key Details
The R. Premadasa Stadium, located in Colombo, was previously known as Khettarama Stadium until 1994. Established in 1986, it has a capacity of 35,000. The stadium hosted the ICC T20 World Cup 2012 final and recently held matches during the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Pitch Conditions at R. Premadasa Stadium
At R. Premadasa Stadium, the pitch is generally flat but tends to deteriorate during the match. As the game progresses, it becomes more favorable for spinners. The black-soil surface provides consistent bounce initially but slows down, aiding spin and variable bounce in the middle overs. Fast bowlers can expect little seam or swing, particularly in day-night games, making it advantageous for spin bowlers.
Key Stats and Records
A total of 51 T20I matches have been played at the stadium. India has participated in 15 matches here, winning 11 and losing 4, while Pakistan has played 7 games, securing 5 wins and 2 losses.
Bangladesh holds the highest total at this venue with 215/5 against Sri Lanka in 2018. India’s best score is 176/3 against Bangladesh, also in 2018, while Pakistan’s highest total here is 175/5 against Sri Lanka in 2015.
India’s lowest total is 81/8 against Sri Lanka in 2021, and Pakistan’s lowest is 123/7 against Sri Lanka in 2012.
Kusal Perera has the most runs at this venue with 442 runs. Among Indian batsmen, former players Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli rank third, fourth, and fifth in terms of runs scored here.
Wanindu Hasaranga leads the bowling charts with 24 wickets, with 14 bowlers achieving four-wicket hauls at this stadium.
Weather Forecast: Will Rain Affect the Match?
The weather in Colombo on Sunday is expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures reaching 30° to 31°C. However, there’s a 50-70% chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon, which could lead to a delayed start or a shortened match.
Pitch Advantage: Which Side Benefits?
Both teams are set to face a pitch that will assist spin as the match goes on. Teams are likely to field strong spin options. India might have a slight edge due to the quality of their spinners.
FAQs: Pitch Report for R. Premadasa Stadium
What is the pitch report for R. Premadasa Stadium?
The pitch is balanced, flat initially, but deteriorates over time, favoring spinners as the match progresses. Early on, it offers consistent bounce, but later it becomes slow and grippy, assisting spin and variable bounce during the middle overs.
What are the records for India and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium?
India has a record of 11 wins and 4 losses in 15 matches at this stadium, while Pakistan has recorded 5 wins and 2 losses in 7 matches.
