India are celebrating another T20 World Cup triumph over Pakistan. The defending champions eased to a comprehensive 61-run victory in Colombo on Sunday to continue a dominant winning run against their arch-rivals. Ishan Kishan was the star of the match at a sold-out R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, smashing 70 runs off just 44 deliveries as India posted 175/7 after being put in to bat by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, who won the toss.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav added 32 for India, who then ended Pakistan’s run chase before it ever really began as the early wickets tumbled. Pakistan were reduced to 13/3 and then 34/4 in dismal fashion, with Usman Khan’s spirited 44 off 34 balls not enough to spark any sort of sustained fightback. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, with the two teams failing to shake hands once again after a one-sided Group A contest. The captains also did not engage in a handshake after the toss.
A third straight win for India sealed their place in the Super Eight stage with a game to spare, while Pakistan slipped to third behind the USA but should join the holders in advancing as they face minnows Namibia on Wednesday. Follow India vs Pakistan reaction live below!
India vs Pakistan highlights
- Players do not shake hands again
- India book Super Eight place with 61-run win
- Pakistan all out for 114 in dismal run chase
- India post 175/7 with inspired Kishan top scoring
- Pakistan win toss and choose to bowl first
India and Pakistan players do not shake hands again
18:04 , George FloodIt is certainly worth noting that the two teams did not exchange handshakes once again after the match, with captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha having also not done so after the toss.
It seems like a precedent has now been set moving forward after the drama at the Asia Cup last year.
India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs to seal Super Eight place
17:03 , George FloodSo defending T20 World Cup champions India ease to a very straightforward 61-run victory in Colombo to seal their spot in the Super Eights with a match to spare.
Ishan Kishan was superb with his 77 off just 40 balls, with captain Suryakumar Yadav adding 32 to their 175/7 after they were put into bat by Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan’s chase was over before it ever really began after they fell to 13/3 in dismal fashion, with Usman Khan’s 44 off 34 their best effort in reply.
They have dropped below the USA - who have played a game more - to third in Group A after the latter beat Namibia by 31 runs in Chennai earlier today.
The top two teams from each group advance and you would still back them to get the job done against minnows Namibia at the same venue on Wednesday and avoid an embarrassing early exit for the second T20 World Cup in a row.
Such a shame we never had any sort of jeopardy there.
It will take something very special to beat this India team you feel.
WICKET! Usman Tariq (0) b Hardik - Pakistan 114 all out
16:48 , George FloodHardik isn’t happy after an initial wide as a glove behind from Shaheen isn’t held by Kishan.
Kuldeep then spills a hopeful heave from Shaheen over the rope for six.
Shaheen is swinging wildly at everything as you might expect, picking out a fielder down the ground.
He notches a single after a couple of dot balls to bring Tariq back on strike... and he’s emphatically bowled with the final ball of the over!
Pakistan are all out for 114 in 18 overs as India thrash their arch-rivals by 61 runs.
Overs 17: Pakistan 106/9 (Tariq 0, Shaheen 16)
16:42 , George FloodRinku enters the India attack and his first ball is walloped away for four by Shaheen as Pakistan do make it past 100.
Shaheen doesn’t connect properly with a big shot but there’s enough on it for another four.
He’s swinging for the fences now and takes nine off the over.
Not really worth saying, but Pakistan need 70 runs from the final 18 balls here.
Overs 16: Pakistan 97/9 (Tariq 0, Shaheen 7)
16:38 , George FloodIndia think Varun has his hat-trick as he delivers into Tariq.
They review it, but that was clearly missing the stumps.
WICKET! Abrar Ahmed (0) lbw b Varun - Pakistan 97/9
16:36 , George FloodMake that nine down before getting to a hundred.
Two in two for Varun as Abrar is trapped plum lbw.
He reviews it, but in hope rather than any sort of expectation.
No chance.
Usman Tariq is the last man up for Pakistan.
Varun on a hat-trick...
WICKET! Faheem Ashraf (10) c Rinku, b Varun - Pakistan 97/8
16:34 , George FloodPakistan are now eight down before getting into three figures.
Faheem tries to launch one off the back foot but it’s an easy catch for Rinku Singh.
Abrar Ahmed walks out next.
Overs 15: Pakistan 94/7 (Faheem 8, Shaheen 6)
16:32 , George FloodAny tension has long since been removed from the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, and it’s a shame.
A couple of big top edges off Tilak, the second by Shaheen is inexplicably dropped by the bowler after he pedals backwards to try and take the catch.
Maybe tougher than it looked at first glance.
Just five off the over again.
Overs 14: Pakistan 89/7 (Faheem 7, Shaheen 2)
16:26 , George FloodA couple of cheap extras shipped by Kuldeep.
The required run rate is now above 14.
Five off a quiet over. Time for a drinks break.
Overs 13: Pakistan 84/7 (Faheem 5, Shaheen 1)
16:23 , George FloodShaheen Shah Afridi joins Faheem Ashraf in the middle.
That’s a terrific shot from Faheem that flies away for four.
The required run rate is up over 13.
WICKET! Shadab Khan (14) c Dube, b Tilak - Pakistan 78/7
16:20 , George FloodJust dismal again from Pakistan.
They need to go for broke here, but it’s still so careless.
Another catch by Dube off a mistimed heave and it’s an immediate wicket for Tilak.
India on easy street.
Overs 12: Pakistan 78/6 (Faheem 0, Shadab 14)
16:18 , George Flood98 from 48 now needed for Pakistan.
Tilak into the India attack for the first time.
WICKET! Mohammad Nawaz (4) c Dube, b Kuldeep - Pakistan 78/6
16:17 , George FloodOh dear.
Two balls after smashing away for a stylish four, Nawaz gets under a pedestrian-looking Kuldeep delivery and it goes high and into the waiting arms of Dube.
Faheem Ashraf is the next man up.
Overs 11: Pakistan 73/5 (Nawaz 0, Shadab 13)
16:13 , George FloodIndia’s fans are jubilant in the stands.
They certainly feel victory is theirs from here.
WICKET! Usman Khan (44) st Kishan, b Axar - Pakistan 73/5
16:12 , George FloodA major wicket for India as a special delivery from Axar is missed totally by the aggressive Usman, who is duly stumped by the alert Kishan.
Mohammad Nawaz joins Shadab in the middle.
Overs 10: Pakistan 71/4 (Usman 43, Shadab 12)
16:09 , George FloodSpinner Kuldeep gives up a couple of quick-fire singles before Usman tries to untidily sweep away a googly and takes a single.
Another googly causes issues for Shadab, who now nicks a fast single.
Usman slaps away a wider delivery for another single, seven away from his 50.
Pakistan need 105 from 60 now.
Overs 9: Pakistan 66/4 (Usman 40, Shadab 10)
16:05 , George FloodTilak with a fine diving effort on the boundary but he can’t dismiss Usman, who now has back-to-back fours off Axar.
Superb batting and exactly what Pakistan need here - is this the partnership to really drive them on?
Two Axar dot balls are sandwiched between a single for Usman, who wisely decides against going for two.
Another dot to finish. Kuldeep Yadav is going to bowl now for India.
Overs 8: Pakistan 57/4 (Usman 31, Shadab 10)
16:01 , George Flood10 off the over from Varun as Shadab begins to let loose and picks out the boundary.
Glimmers of hope for Pakistan?
Overs 7: Pakistan 47/4 (Usman 29, Shadab 2)
15:58 , George FloodUsman is doing his best for Pakistan here and he drills wide of mid-on for four off Axar after a second single for Shadab.
Usman sets off on a run and then turns back, with wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan crashing into the stumps but that was never a run out.
Two straight dot balls are followed by another encouraging four from Usman.
Overs 6: Pakistan 38/4 (Usman 21, Shadab 1)
15:54 , George FloodThe required run rate is almost up to 10 an over now.
Overs 6: Pakistan 38/4 (Usman 21, Shadab 1)
15:52 , George FloodA quiet over, only four off it - three for Usman, a solitary single from Shadab.
Fine work from Varun.
Pakistan need some inspiration from somewhere.
Overs 5: Pakistan 34/4 (Usman 18, Shadab 0)
15:49 , George FloodAn immediate lbw shout against Shadab, but there’s nothing there.
Pakistan have an absolute mountain to climb from here.
Varun Chakravarthy to bowl next for India.
WICKET! Babar Azam (5) b Axar - Pakistan 34/4
15:47 , George FloodA dot ball to start from Axar, but he’s then smoked for back-to-back fours by Usman, who tries to inject some much-needed pace into this Pakistan chase.
A single follows to bring Babar back on strike... he’s bowled all ends up while attempting the slog sweep!
Another huge wicket falls early for Pakistan.
Shadab Khan to the crease at No6.
Overs 4: Pakistan 25/3 (Usman 9, Babar 5)
15:44 , George FloodA dot to start the second over from Bumrah, who gives up a few singles and bowls a wide down the leg side before forcing Babar onto the defensive with a brilliant delivery.
Two more excellent balls to finish allow no runs - only four from the over.
Pakistan now need 151 from 96. India introduce the spin of Axar Patel now.
Overs 3: Pakistan 21/3 (Usman 7, Babar 4)
15:39 , George FloodPakistan need to find some sort of stability here, and fast.
Hardik returns and gives up a single before back-to-back dot balls.
Finally something for Pakistan to cheer about as Usman lofts a confident six.
Another boundary is prevented by a piece of expert fielding from Axar Patel.
Only a single to end the over for Usman.
WICKET! Salman Ali Agha (4) c Hardik, b Bumrah - Pakistan 13/3
15:35 , George FloodRinku Singh with some superb fielding to prevent a boundary as Pakistan settle for two, with a single following before a well-struck four from Salman.
Babar Azam is batting with his captain now, but Salman just tosses away his wicket with a dreadful shot that sails high and into the hands of Hardik.
This is dreadful from Pakistan.
Usman Khan to the middle.
WICKET! Saim Ayub (6) lbw b Bumrah - Pakistan 6/2
15:31 , George FloodJasprit Bumrah is now bowling for India and there’s a rather fortunate six from Saim to get Pakistan off the mark.
But next ball he’s given out lbw!
Pakistan immediately opt to review, but there didn’t look to be much doubt about that one.
A delicious yorker from India’s star paceman does the job.
Pakistan in disarray at 6/2 early in this chase.
Overs 1: Pakistan 0/1 (Salman 0, Saim 0)
15:28 , George FloodThe perfect opening from India and Hardik.
WICKET! Sahibzada Farhan (0) c Rinku, b Hardik - Pakistan 0/1
15:25 , George FloodFarhan is on strike first and it’s a good early length and pace from Hardik.
Farhan drills straight to the fielder and then skies a huge top edge, which is easily gobbled up by Rinku Singh.
A disastrous start to Pakistan’s chase.
Captain Salman Ali Agha is in at No3.
Pakistan run chase about to begin
15:22 , George FloodHere we go then with the run chase in Colombo.
Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are the openers for Pakistan.
Hardik Pandya to bowl first for India.
WICKET! Axar Patel (0) c Saim, b Shaheen - India 175/7
15:11 , George FloodNew man Axar has one crack at it and picks out Saim Ayub.
India finish on 175/7 after an expensive final over from Shaheen.
WICKET! Shivam Dube (27) run out - India 175/6
15:10 , George FloodDube opens the final over with a lovely shot for four before a quick single, with Rinku now on the board with a huge slice that bounces away to the fence.
He follows it with a massive six over midwicket that takes India over the 170 mark!
India bizarrely then look to go for two, with Dube sent back but he’s easily run out with one delivery to go.
Overs 19: India 159/5 (Rinku 0, Dube 22)
15:06 , George FloodOne over left in this India innings.
And it will be bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi as Pakistan finally go back to a bit of pace after an almost entirely spin-only approach so far.
WICKET! Suryakumar Yadav (32) c Saim, b Tariq - India 159/5
15:04 , George FloodDube almost chops on to open Tariq’s final over, but he responds with a powerful effort straight down the ground for four.
One leg bye there before a dot ball as Suryakumar gets his reverse sweep attempt wrong.
He goes for the big shot but succeeds only in picking out Saim Ayub.
A key wicket and a first for Tariq - who gives a little bow.
Rinku Singh to the middle now for India.
Overs 18: India 154/4 (Suryakumar 32, Dube 18)
15:00 , George FloodA peach of a straight shot from Suryakumar picks out the gap and he opens the 18th over with a well-struck four.
A couple of singles follow, Dube turning up the aggression but his loft bounces before reaching a fielder in the deep.
But there’s no stopping that from Dube as a monster strike off the back foot sails some 88 metres for six. Wow.
A single to finish - 14 off a rather costly over.
Overs 17: India 140/4 (Suryakumar 26, Dube 10)
14:56 , George FloodAgain the singles keep coming off the slowest of slow deliveries from Tariq, but Pakistan will be comfortable with that.
Only four off the over. Abrar to return now.
Overs 16: India 136/4 (Suryakumar 24, Dube 8)
14:52 , George FloodIndia look to calm things down again after a massively dramatic over as Suryakumar and Dube help themselves to a succession of quick singles off Nawaz.
Pakistan need to feed into that momentum created by Saim and properly attack here in what feels like a pivotal stage of the match.
The singles keep ticking before Dube lofts away smartly into space, picking out the gap between two fielders for four.
Nine off the over.
Overs 15: India 127/4 (Suryakumar 22, Dube 1)
14:48 , George FloodHuge drama in Colombo as Pakistan feel that Dube edged a devilish delivery from Saim.
Wicketkeeper Usman Khan removes the stumps for good measure.
No idea how that didn’t bowl him for the hat-trick!
Hopeful Pakistan go upstairs, but there was no contact with the bat.
WICKET! Hardik Pandya (0) c Babar, b Saim - India 126/4
14:45 , George FloodAnd he’s gone already!
Hardik Pandya is aggressive with his first shot and a massive top edge soars high and into the waiting hands of Babar Azam.
Two in two for Pakistan! Saim is on a hat-trick as Shivam Dube enters the fray.
WICKET! Tilak Varma (25) b Saim - India 126/3
14:43 , George FloodSaim bowling for Pakistan after a drinks break in humid Colombo as they try to run out Tilak, who was comfortably back after a single for Suryakumar.
Tilak goes for the reverse sweep next but gets it all wrong as the ball clatters into him and lbw is quickly signalled.
He looks like he’s thinking of reviewing it as the clock ticks down, but the captain tells him otherwise.
Hardik Pandya is the next man up for India...
Overs 14: India 125/2 (Suryakumar 21, Tilak 25)
14:37 , George FloodGreat fielding on the boundary from Faheem Ashraf to stop a four off Nawaz for Suryakumar, who settles for two instead to retain the strike.
Nawaz with a couple of dot balls before Shadab Khan makes a complete mess of a simple bit of fielding and Suryakumar has four - Nawaz has his head in his hands.
A single follows before a fine delivery from Nawaz forces Tilak onto the defensive on his back foot. No run.
Overs 13: India 118/2 (Suryakumar 14, Tilak 25)
14:33 , George FloodSuryakumar drives into the gap and picks up three off the first ball of Tariq’s second over.
India keep the scoreboard ticking over with another couple of singles.
Tilak with another there after a low drive picks out the fielder.
A swing and a miss from Suryakumar, but that’s a wide.
He nudges into space again and gets another single, then Tilak cleverly spots another gap and picks up two.
Overs 12: India 108/2 (Suryakumar 8, Tilak 21)
14:28 , George FloodHe was being totally overshadowed by the big-hitting Kishan earlier, but Tilak now breaks out with a beautifully-struck six low over the rope from a full delivery outside off by Nawaz.
A dot ball to follow before a couple of quick-fire singles.
Another single from Tilak, before a huge lbw appeal against Suryakumar.
The on-field decision is not out but Pakistan call for a review. Was that outside leg?
Oof, so close but it’s umpire’s call in the end and the India captain survives.
Overs 11: India 98/2 (Suryakumar 8, Tilak 13)
14:23 , George FloodFirst ball from right-arm spinner Tariq and it’s blasted away confidently for four by India skipper Suryakumar.
He then nicks a quick single before three straight dot balls and a lovely delivery that bamboozles Tilak.
Tilak with a little loft through the leg side for a single to end the over.
Overs 10: India 92/2 (Suryakumar 3, Tilak 12)
14:19 , George FloodJust three for India in a quiet over from Nawaz.
Usman Tariq will now bowl for Pakistan.
Overs 9: India 89/2 (Suryakumar 1, Tilak 11)
14:16 , George FloodBoy how Pakistan needed that wicket with Kishan in such imperious form.
His dismissal brings India captain Suryakumar Yadav to the crease and he gets off the mark with a quick single.
Mohammad Nawaz is into the Pakistan attack now.
Can they build on that breakthrough? India were on track to go over 200.
WICKET! Ishan Kishan (77) b Saim - India 88/2
14:13 , George FloodIt’s actually Saim bowling now for Pakistan and there’s a single apiece to begin the over before more perfect switch-hitting from Kishan to drill another four.
But he’s gone next ball as Saim gets the crucial breakthrough!
Overs 8: India 82/1 (Kishan 72, Tilak 10)
14:07 , George FloodKishan is down and receiving treatment in the crease at the moment - a touch of cramp, perhaps?
Pakistan are now turning to Usman Tariq in a bid to make a breakthrough.
Overs 8: India 82/1 (Kishan 72, Tilak 10)
14:05 , George FloodThis is an absolute batting clinic from Kishan at the moment as he picks out the top tier of the stand - a huge six to punish Shadab Khan immediately after he is introduced to a struggling Pakistan attack.
Make that 67 off 34 after another poor delivery outside leg is firmly dispatched for four.
Two more off a slightly botched reverse sweep.
Even when he’s not smashing boundaries, he’s regularly picking up two.
82/1 off eight overs for India, who are soaring in Colombo.
Pakistan need answers... and fast.
Overs 7: India 65/1 (Kishan 55, Tilak 10)
14:00 , George FloodKishan with a lovely little nudge off Abrar that speeds away to the fence before a second successive four - this time down the ground - brings up his 50 off just 27 deliveries.
He soaks up the adulation of the India crowd before deciding to unleash a third straight four with a textbook cover drive.
Abrar goes more aggressive to try and halt this momentum, with a fielder in the deep this time limiting Kishan to a single.
Overs 6: India 52/1 (Kishan 42, Tilak 10)
13:55 , George FloodA single apiece off Saim Ayub as Tilak doesn’t quite get his timing right.
Kishan tries to open up again down the wicket but doesn’t quite catch it properly - no matter as the ball still flies past the right hand of Shaheen and away for four.
Tilak looks to end the over with a boundary of his own as the ball speeds away to the rope - I think that was Mohammad Nawaz with the desperate diving effort to prevent the four.
But he didn’t manage to stop it.
Overs 5: India 41/1 (Kishan 36, Tilak 5)
13:50 , George FloodSpin heavy from Pakistan early on here as Abrar Ahmed now enters the attack - and is promptly smashed for six by the confident Kishan.
He looks to settle with his next couple of deliveries before the aggressive Kishan then drills away for another four to move on to 35.
Another single puts Tilak on strike, but he decides against trying to snatch a risky single to end the over.
Overs 4: India 30/1 (Kishan 25, Tilak 5)
13:46 , George FloodPakistan introduce another spinner in Saim Ayub, who has Kishan floundering with a couple of dangerous turning deliveries before being smoked for four through the off side.
Kishan tries to get loose again but actually hits Tilak with a mishit effort down the ground.
Shaheen with a direct hit on the stumps to end the over, but Kishan was back.
Overs 3: India 25/1 (Kishan 20, Tilak 5)
13:42 , George FloodKishan with a huge loft over mid-on off Salman to bring up another four.
Another big shot over to the off side then lands safe but is stopped by the fielder as they settle for two.
He picks up another quick single to put Tilak back on strike and he duly adds another.
Kishan with a big top edge to end the over but there’s no fielder underneath it.
Quite a let-off.
Overs 2: India 16/1 (Kishan 12, Tilak 4)
13:38 , George FloodShaheen moves into the Pakistan attack and is smashed for a huge six and then four by the aggressive Kishan, who launches into attack mode.
11 off just three balls after a follow-up single.
Shaheen finds his length before an edge from Tilak speeds away for four.
WICKET! Abhishek Sharma (0) - c Shaheen, b Salman - India 1/1
13:34 , George FloodAn early heave from Kishan but there’s a fielder in the deep and he picks up a quick single.
Otherwise it’s a solid start from the Pakistan skipper’s right-arm spin against two left-handed openers.
He coaxes a poor shot down the ground from Abhishek and Shaheen Shah Afridi is there to take a simple catch!
What a start for Pakistan and another duck for Abhishek.
Tilak Varma is in at No3 for India.
India vs Pakistan
13:30 , George FloodIt’s the captain to bowl first for Pakistan.
Salman Ali Agha with his right-arm spin.
Here we go!
Kishan is on strike first.
India vs Pakistan
13:28 , George FloodAnthems done and dusted, it’s almost time for play to start in Colombo.
Abhishek Sharma to open the batting for India after recovering from illness, along with Ishan Kishan.
Here come the teams
13:25 , George FloodThe players and mascots emerge from the tunnel to a great reception at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
It’s time for the national anthems, with Pakistan up first.
No handshake between captains again
13:20 , George FloodYeah, there was clearly no handshake there again between captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha.
The Asia Cup controversy from last year appears to have set a new precedent in this grudge match.
India make two changes from Namibia win
13:11 , George FloodSuryakumar Yadav seems happy with that and claims that India were looking to bat first anyway.
He confirms two changes to the team that thrashed Namibia by 93 runs in Delhi on Thursday, with Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma both coming in.
They replace Sanju Samson and Arshdeep Singh.
As expected, I don’t think there was a handshake between the two captains again there - unless I missed it.
No sign of any rain at the moment. Fingers crossed that remains the case.
Pakistan win toss and choose to bowl
13:05 , George FloodIt’s time for the all-important toss, with respective team captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha now out in the middle to a huge reception from the stands.
Salman Ali Agha calls heads and it is indeed heads, with the Pakistan skipper electing to bowl first after assessing the pitch.
Pakistan are unchanged from their 32-run win over the USA in Colombo on Tuesday.
Preparations almost complete
12:54 , George FloodElsewhere in Group A, the USA have just beaten Namibia by 31 runs in Chennai.
All eyes now fall on Colombo, where warm-ups are almost complete and the atmosphere continues to build...
Pakistan will learn from India World Cup defeats, vows captain
12:41 , George FloodPakistan’s recent record in this fixture does not make for good reading and they have lost 12 of the previous 16 T20 matches against their arch-rivals, including in a tense thriller during the group stage of the 2024 World Cup in New York, where India won by six runs en route to lifting their second title.
On that occasion, India were all out for 119 in 19 overs after rain as Rishabh Pant scored 42, with Jasprit Bumrah then taking 3-14 as Pakistan reached 113-7 in response.
"We don’t have a good record against them in World Cups," said Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Saturday.
"But whenever you come to play a new match, it’s a new day and you have to play good cricket to win.
"You can't change history. You can learn from it."
There should be some atmosphere ahead at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, which has unsurprisingly sold out it’s entire 35,000 capacity for the sport’s biggest game.
Fans from both nations will be keen to make their voices heard..
Weather update with rain forecast in Colombo
12:16 , George FloodMight the weather yet have a significant say on today’s grudge match?
There is evening rain forecast in Colombo, where it’s coming up to 6pm.
How heavy and sustained it will be looks to vary in terms of which report you read or forecast you study.
Let’s hope it’s nothing more than light showers that move away quickly and we don’t lose too many overs, if any.
This game becoming a washout would obviously be an enormous anti-climax.
More handshake drama after Asia Cup controversy
12:10 , George FloodThere have been reports in some quarters today that respective team captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha will not shake hands again after the controversy that ensued during last year’s Asia Cup.
Asked about that topic yesterday, Salman Ali Agha told the media: “The game should be played in real spirit, the way it has been played since it started.
“The rest is up to them [India], what they want to do.
“We are here to play cricket. We will play good cricket.
“We will take all those calls tomorrow [Sunday]. We will see.”
How to watch India vs Pakistan
11:58 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, India vs Pakistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket.
The action in Colombo begins at 1.30pm GMT, with coverage commencing from 12:30pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the action unfold live online via the Sky Go app.
Match goes ahead after Pakistan end boycott plans
11:57 , George FloodAs mentioned, this game was only confirmed to be going ahead at the start of the week after Pakistan’s government ended plans to boycott it.
They had originally decided to play in the tournament but not against co-hosts India, saying they were showing support for Bangladesh, who had withdrawn completely after a request to have their games moved out of India was rejected.
"In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup,” the Pakistan government said in a statement on Monday.
"Moreover, this decision has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations.
"The Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan extend their best wishes to the 'Men in Green'.
“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory."
India vs Pakistan live
11:48 , George FloodHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of India vs Pakistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The latest instalment of cricket’s biggest grudge match goes ahead in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo after plans to boycott the fixture were ended by the Pakistan government earlier this week.
Play is scheduled to begin at 1:30pm GMT, which is 7pm local time at a sold-out R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.
Stay tuned for live updates throughout the day.
