The most anticipated game of the T20 Cricket World Cup is set to attract more than a billion eyes when India take on arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday, with much uncertainty still remaining around world cricket’s marquee match.
Political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries have often spilled over onto the cricket field.
Sunday’s game will be the teams’ first game since last year’s bitter Asian Cup tournament in the United Arab Emirates, which India won and where the players refused to shake hands.
RAIN PROBLEMS
As fans eagerly awaited the highly anticipated match, weather forecasts had previously warned of heavy rain from Sunday afternoon into the evening, raising further doubts about the match.
India and Pakistan jerseys are sold outside the stadium before the match. Reuters
However, the chances of rain affecting the match are decreasing as the Sri Lanka Meteorological Department predicts that Colombo skies will remain cloudy.
The possibility of a meeting being limited by rain has prompted team management to consider tactical changes as conditions are likely to dictate the final combination.
The Men in Green can strengthen their tempo arsenal if cloudy and wet conditions prevail. Fast bowler Naseem Shah and left-arm fast bowler Salman Mirza are firmly in contention for inclusion. Salman, who has not opposed the US, may be called upon along with Naseem to take advantage of any help offered from the wet surface.
Salman Agha (left) talks to head coach Mike Hesson during training. AFP
While team management is keeping its cards close to its chest, there are indications that up to four changes to the playing roster are under consideration.
If Pakistan opt for an aggressive attack, at least two spinners could make room, depending on how the pitch changes closer to match time. Usman Khan’s place may also come under scrutiny as management weigh experience, form and tactical balance.
SAGA OF THE HANDSHAKE
Ahead of the match, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said he believed Indian players should decide whether they would shake hands with his team before and after Sunday’s game.
“This has been the norm in cricket for many years, but whatever they want, we will know only tomorrow,” he said, referring to the handshake controversy between the two teams where the Indian side refused to participate in the customary handshake with Pakistani players, including the toss between captains.
Fans hold the Indian national flag and cheer from the stands before the start of a group stage match of the T20 Cricket World Cup. AFP
India faced Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup, including the final on September 28 in Dubai, but refused to shake hands with their opponents before or after any of the matches, causing controversy and resentment among cricket fans and fraternity.
“This is a very big game and the scale is huge,” Agha said. “We were always ready to play, no matter what the decision was.”
“We are in good momentum and I hope being in Colombo from the start will help us in terms of conditions. We need to play good cricket to win the match,” said the Pakistani captain.
The winner will be guaranteed a place in the next round of the Super Eights.
India have doubts over explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who is suffering from stomach pain.
“I hope he plays tomorrow. I hope he recovers well,” Agha said. “We want to play against the best, good luck to him.”
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, for his part, was noncommittal.
A cameraman follows Suryakumar Yadav on the field before the start of a T20 Cricket World Cup match. AP
“Why do you emphasize this?” Suryakumar asked reporters on the eve of the game. “We are here to play cricket. We will play good cricket. We will take all these calls tomorrow. We’ll see tomorrow.”
The Pakistan government has threatened to boycott Sunday’s match after the International Cricket Council expelled Bangladesh from the World Cup for refusing to host matches in India, citing security concerns.
Pakistan agreed to play only after intensive negotiations with the ICC. These matches are the main source of income for the ICC.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam (second from left) warms up with his teammates before the start of a T20 World Cup match. AP
Tensions came to a head at the Asia Cup when Suryakumar refused to shake Agha’s hand. There were bitter moments between the two sides throughout the tournament, with Suryakumar and Pakistan’s Haris Rauf both being fined for violating the ICC code of conduct.
India won the Asia Cup but refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
“The game needs to be played for real, the way it has been played since it began. The rest is up to them (India) what they want to do,” Agha told the media on Saturday about the possibility of players shaking hands.
India have not traveled to Pakistan since 2008 and Pakistan visited India for the 50-over World Cup in 2023 but have been playing ICC tournaments at neutral venues since then.
India have defeated Pakistan 12 times in the 16 T20 games they have played. The team also has an impressive 6-1 record in eight T20 World Cup matches since it was first played in 2007, with one of them being a draw.
Agencies