India vs Pakistan: T20 World Cup Showdown – Teams, Start Time, Lineups
The ICC 2026 T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan is set to take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, at 7 PM local time (13:30 GMT).
Match Background and Venue
This encounter marks another chapter in the storied rivalry between India and Pakistan. Initially, Pakistan considered boycotting the match in solidarity with Bangladesh, which withdrew from the tournament. However, after negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Sri Lanka, Pakistan reversed its decision, allowing the match to proceed.
The R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka’s largest cricket ground, will host around 35,000 fans, with tickets already sold out for the event.
Key Players to Watch
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq is a name to look out for. He discovered his passion for cricket after watching the biopic on Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The 30-year-old spinner has quickly made his mark, taking 11 wickets in just four T20 internationals, including a three-wicket haul on his World Cup debut.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, has recognized Tariq as a vital asset against India, referring to him as the team’s secret weapon. Despite recent controversies surrounding his unique bowling action, he has been cleared by the ICC.
Recent Match Highlights
This upcoming game is a rematch of the 2025 Asian Cup final, where India triumphed over Pakistan by five wickets. Off-field interactions, including handshakes, will be closely scrutinized, alongside the intense on-field competition.
Impact on Sri Lankan Tourism
The significance of this match extends beyond cricket. The influx of fans from both countries has resulted in skyrocketing hotel prices and flight costs to Colombo. Many hotels reportedly doubled their rates in anticipation of the event.
- Hotel prices surged, with rooms now costing up to $660 per night.
- Flight prices from Chennai tripled to around $623-$756.
- Approximately 20% of visitors to Sri Lanka this month are attending the cricket match.
Nalin Jayasundera, president of the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators, has noted the economic boost from the match, highlighting its potential to enhance Sri Lanka’s reputation as a neutral cricket venue.
Predicted Lineups
| India | Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan (wk) | Saim Ayub |
| Sanju Samson/Abhishek Sharma | Babar Azam |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) | Salman Mirza |
| Tilak Varma | Salman Ali Agha (c) |
| Hardik Pandya | Shadab Khan |
| Rinku Singh | Mohammad Nawaz |
| Axar Patel | Sahibzada Farhan (wk) |
| Shivam Dube | Faheem Ashraf |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Naseem Shah |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Abrar Ahmed |
As the cricketing world prepares for this monumental event, eyes will be on both teams as they meet once more in a game filled with excitement and national pride.
