Weather Worry in Colombo
Live visuals from Colombo showed heavy cloud cover over the stadium hours before the match. Multiple weather models have forecast intermittent rain through the afternoon, raising the possibility of interruptions or even a shortened contest.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali openly admitted he is hoping for rain, pointing out that a washout would hand both teams one point each. However, fans on both sides are eager for a full contest rather than shared spoils.
Spin to Dominate at Premadasa
The R Premadasa Stadium has historically aided spinners, and Sunday is unlikely to be any different. The large outfield and slower pitch conditions could challenge India’s aggressive batting approach that has thrived on truer surfaces recently.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged the pressure but maintained that the team is prepared. “Weather is not in our control. What is in our control is to play good cricket,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
Pakistan are expected to rely heavily on their spin attack, including the much-discussed Usman Tariq, whose unusual “pause-and-release” bowling action has attracted attention throughout the tournament.
India’s Plan Against Usman Tariq
Usman Tariq has been labelled Pakistan’s trump card. Responding to questions about the spinner’s unique action, Suryakumar offered a composed analogy. “Sometimes there is a question in the exam that’s out of syllabus. We can’t skip it. We have to find a way,” he remarked.
India’s batsmen were seen practicing against simulated variations in the nets to prepare for Tariq’s deliveries. The contest between India’s middle order and Pakistan’s spinners could determine the outcome.
Playing XI Predictions
India are likely to field Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
Pakistan’s probable XI includes Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed.
The battle between Jasprit Bumrah and in-form opener Farhan will be closely watched, as will Varun Chakaravarthy’s role in choking Pakistan’s middle overs.
No Handshake Speculation
Adding to the intrigue are questions over post-match handshakes. While tradition often sees captains exchange pleasantries, reports suggest India may maintain status quo this time. Suryakumar remained guarded, saying, “Wait for 24 hours. The game is important.”
Pakistan captain Salman Agha also kept his response measured, stating that sportsmanship remains important but it depends on circumstances.
A Rivalry Beyond Cricket
This marks the first India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup meeting without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India’s playing XI since 2007. That historic clash in Durban ended in a bowl-out victory for India.
The current fixture carries not just sporting significance but also emotional weight. Yet, both captains have reiterated their focus on cricketing preparation rather than external noise.
With rain looming and spinners ready to exploit Colombo’s surface, the stage is set for another dramatic chapter in India-Pakistan cricket history. Whether the skies clear or intervene, millions across the globe will be watching.
