Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis blamed tactical errors for Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on Sunday, saying the match was effectively decided when India posted 175 in the first innings.
India registered their third consecutive win to qualify for the Super 8 stage, powered by a blistering 77 off 40 balls by Ishan Kishan. Pakistan now need to defeat Namibia in their final Group A match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Younis said Pakistan’s tactical shortcomings, especially in bowling changes, proved costly and that the damage was done in the first innings itself.
“Pakistan lost the game in the first innings. Once India reached 175, the game was out of Pakistan’s reach. The ball was spinning, and Suryakumar Yadav was smart with his bowling changes. He gave the new ball to Hardik Pandya up front. Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding as always, attacking the stumps and getting movement,” Younis told Star Sports.
“It became very difficult for Pakistan after that. When you look at how much spin Pakistani bowlers got, I don’t think they used them as well as India did. The game was over in the first innings because India scored too many runs,” he added.
The pace legend also said Pakistan erred by delaying the introduction of spinner Usman Tariq, who eventually returned impressive figures but was brought into the attack too late.
“Salman Ali Agha allowed that to happen by not introducing Usman Tariq early. Tariq was superb, taking a wicket and conceding just 24 runs. But by the time he came on, Ishan Kishan had already done the damage. If India had scored 140 or 150 instead of 175, things might have been different,” he said.
Powered by Kishan’s aggressive knock, India posted 175/7, the highest total in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo. In reply, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah struck early to put Pakistan under immediate pressure.
Usman Khan briefly revived hopes with a fluent 44, but his dismissal to Axar Patel ended any realistic chances of a comeback, as India’s bowlers maintained control for the rest of the innings.
Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar praised skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his tactical awareness and leadership.
“You have to play according to the situation, and that is what Suryakumar Yadav has done. He has led from the front. Against Pakistan, when India were 88 for 2, he stayed till the 19th over and scored 32 runs. He ensured wickets didn’t fall and held one end,” Gavaskar said.
He added that Suryakumar’s understanding of match situations, conditions and game management has brought greater awareness and stability to the Indian team in T20 cricket.