The most anticipated match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to unfold on Sunday as arch-rivals India and Pakistan face off at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Although it is just a group-stage fixture on paper, the clash carries the intensity and emotion of a final.
Both teams enter their third group-stage match unbeaten, with India and Pakistan each securing two wins so far. While India defeated the USA and Namibia, Pakistan registered victories against the Netherlands and the USA, setting up a blockbuster encounter with four points apiece at stake.
The build-up to the clash has been far from ordinary. Pakistan had earlier decided to boycott the fixture in solidarity with Bangladesh after their withdrawal from the tournament, before the standoff was resolved. While tensions have eased, all eyes will be on the pre-match handshake, which could carry symbolic significance.
Weather could play spoilsport
The weather in Colombo could have a decisive role in the contest. Forecasts suggest warm and humid conditions, with a high chance of showers and thunderstorms. Rain is particularly expected between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM IST, raising concerns about interruptions and a shortened match. With no reserve day for the group-stage clash, a washout would see both teams share a point.
Pitch Report
The R. Premadasa Stadium pitch is expected to be a slow, black-soil surface that assists spinners as the match progresses. A used pitch could make batting tricky, with two-paced bounce testing batters, especially in the middle overs.
India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details
Where will the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match be played?
The match will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
When will the toss for the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match happen?
The toss is scheduled for 6:30 PM IST, and the match will start at 7:00 PM IST.
Where to watch the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match live on TV?
The India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 match will be broadcast live in India on the Star Sports Network, including channels like Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, and regional feeds in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
Where to watch the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup live streaming in India?
The match will be streamed live in India on the JioHotstar app and website. While a subscription is generally required, several telecom providers such as Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL are offering prepaid plans bundled with complimentary JioHotstar access for the tournament.
Is live audio commentary available for India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match?
Yes, live audio commentary of the India vs Pakistan match will be available on All India Radio (AIR).
Where to watch the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match outside India?
Pakistan:
- TV: PTV Sports, Geo Super
- Live Streaming: Tamasha, Myco, ARY Zapp, Tapmad
USA & Canada:
- TV: Willow TV
- Live Streaming: Willow TV, CricBuzz DTC
UK & Ireland:
- TV: Sky Sports Cricket
- Live Streaming: Sky Go, NOW
Australia:
- Live Streaming: Prime Video
Middle East / MENA:
- TV: CricLife Max
- Live Streaming: StarzPlay
Sri Lanka:
- TV: Dialog TV
- Live Streaming: ThePapare.com, Dialog Play
India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026: Squads
India:
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (wk), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
Pakistan:
Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Mizra, Khawaja Nafay (wk).