India and Pakistan face off in a high-stakes clash with both sides unbeaten and a Super Eight spot firmly in sight. The heavyweight encounter promises intensity, form, and history as two in-form teams collide in Colombo.
Match details
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Time: 07:00 PM IST, 06:30 PM PST, 01:30 PM GMT
Team overviews
Match 27 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 features the tournament’s most anticipated rivalry. India have carried their ICC tournament momentum into this World Cup with two emphatic victories. They began by defeating the USA by 29 runs and followed it with a dominant 93-run win over Namibia.
India showcased their batting depth against Namibia by posting 209 runs after batting first. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya struck authoritative half-centuries, scoring 61 and 52 respectively. The bowlers then completed the job, bundling Namibia out for 116. Varun Chakravarthy and Hardik Pandya led the bowling effort with two wickets each. Despite the commanding results, India will look to tidy up minor lapses as they prepare for a far sterner test.
Pakistan enter the contest unbeaten in their last six T20 matches and full of confidence. They edged past the Netherlands by three wickets before defeating the USA by 32 runs. Against the USA, Pakistan piled up 190 runs, built around a fluent 73 from Sahibzada Farhan and a brisk 46 off 32 balls by Babar Azam. Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan added valuable momentum in the middle overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers then produced a clinical display, restricting the USA to 158 for 8. The spin attack proved decisive, combining for seven wickets. Usman Tariq impressed with figures of three for 27, while Shadab Khan chipped in with two wickets, underlining Pakistan’s growing control in the middle overs.
Key players
Hardik Pandya remains India’s most influential match-winner in pressure games. He followed up his aggressive fifty against Namibia with two wickets, highlighting his all-round value. His ability to shift momentum with both bat and ball makes him central to India’s plans.
Sahibzada Farhan has been Pakistan’s most consistent batter in the tournament. With 120 runs in two matches, including a half-century against the USA, he has provided stability at the top. His past performances against India further elevate his importance in this fixture.
Head-to-head record
India and Pakistan have faced each other 16 times in T20 internationals. India hold a dominant record with 13 wins, while Pakistan have won three matches. None of the encounters have ended in a tie or no result.
Pitch report
The R Premadasa Stadium has offered a batting-friendly surface during the tournament. Batters have scored freely, while bowlers have found success mainly during the middle overs. Pacers receive bounce early in the innings, but the pitch tends to flatten out later. The average first-innings score at the venue stands at around 170.
Weather report
Conditions are expected to remain humid and pleasant with no rain forecast. Temperatures should range between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius under mostly clear skies, providing ideal conditions for an evening contest.
Probable match scenarios
If India bowl first, they will aim to exploit early movement with pace before applying spin pressure through the middle overs. Pakistan, when bowling first, will look to use their spinners to slow India’s scoring rate after the powerplay. Toss decisions are unlikely to dictate the result, as the venue has offered balanced outcomes for both batting and bowling first.
Probable playing XIs
India: Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammad Siraj, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
Live streaming and broadcast
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: Official broadcaster not announced
United Kingdom: Official broadcaster not announced
Australia: Official broadcaster not announced
Global: Match available through official ICC broadcast partners, subject to regional rights
Match prediction
India start as slight favorites due to recent head-to-head dominance and current form, particularly their batting depth and bowling variety. Pakistan, however, possess the balance and temperament to challenge India if their top order fires and spinners control the middle overs. A closely fought contest is expected, but India hold a marginal edge.
