India and Pakistan are the strong favorites to progress to the Super 8 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after both teams were victorious in their first two Group A matches.
But the IND vs PAK contests are not always about the tournament; there’s monumentally so much more to these clashes.
It is invariably a politically charged game, more so following the controversies during the Asia Cup last year, where India beat Pakistan thrice, including in a thrilling last-over finale.
What is India vs Pakistan record in men’s ICC T20 World Cup?
In the men’s ICC T20 World Cup history, India and Pakistan have clashed in eight matches. Pakistan have beaten India only once, in 2021, and India have thumped their neighbors seven times, including the Bowl Out victory and the T20 World Cup final in 2007.
Let’s see the three batsman vs bowler match-ups that could potentially decide the India vs Pakistan fixture in Colombo on February 15.
IND vs PAK: 3 Batsman vs Bowler Match Ups That Could Decide The Game
Abhishek Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi
Nobody would want to miss a single ball of the blockbuster contest that will be Abhishek Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi on Sunday’s match.
Will Abhishek Sharma play against Pakistan?
Abhishek seems to have recovered from his stomach infection and batted in the nets on Saturday evening. Captain Suryakumar Yadav hinted that the opener will play against Pakistan.
During the Asia Cup, Abhishek’s battle with Shaheen made for compelling viewing, with the India opener taking the honors. Abhishek whacked Shaheen for 36 runs off 19 balls across three matches without losing his wicket, including three maximums.
If Shaheen can dismiss Abhishek in the powerplay, it would set the ideal tone for Pakistan.
Sahibzada Farhan vs Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan announced himself to the world by hitting Jasprit Bumrah for three sixes during the three encounters in the Asia Cup, where his batting helped Pakistan post challenging totals.
It is rare that Bumrah gets pumped for a six in a T20I. And Farhan ensured Indian fans will remember it for a while as he gloated about it considerably during an advertisement.
Bumrah is the best all-format fast bowler in the world. He is known to keep receipts – remember his plane crashing celebration after dismissing Haris Rauf – and he would come with sharper plans against Farhan in Sunday’s tussle.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq
Since the New Zealand series last month, Suryakumar Yadav has regained his touch. He produced a memorable, jailbreak innings against the USA and is looking primed to rule the ICC T20 World Cup. What SKY lacks in his glorious T20I resume is an iconic knock against Pakistan.
Suryakumar averages only 16 at a strike rate of 113 against Pakistan in T20Is and without a single fifty. Sunday’s IND vs PAK match could well be his last chance to shine against the Men In Green.
His presence at the crease during the middle overs against leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq, who is in focus for his action right now but also has bagged 11 wickets in four T20Is, will be crucial for India.
While India have spin bashers in Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, the threat an in-form Suryakumar oozes with spinners in front is compared to none.
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