A Tale of Optimism and Its Downfall
The Pakistani cricket team's journey has been a rollercoaster, and their recent match against India left fans with a bitter taste. After the drama of boycotts and the subsequent moral victory claimed at the ICC, there was a glimmer of hope that Pakistan's bold moves in cricket politics would translate into success on the field. However, the reality fell short of expectations.
For Pakistani fans, optimism often leads to disappointment. But this time, there were genuine reasons to believe in a turnaround. In recent months, Pakistan seemed to be embracing modern T20 cricket, rediscovering the art of spin bowling and the thrill of aggressive batting. Under the guidance of Mike Hesson, a new team formula emerged, giving hope for a brighter future.
But here's where it gets controversial... Pakistan's performance against India exposed their vulnerabilities. Despite starting the tournament well, their platform for success is still very much a work in progress. India ruthlessly showcased the vast gap between the two teams, with an astonishing 11-match winning streak in World T20 encounters.
The question arises: What steps will the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take to address this dominance? Salman Ali Agha's team learned a valuable lesson - you must walk before you can run. While Pakistan can walk, attempting to sprint too soon can be detrimental.
In Colombo, Pakistan's execution of their plan was lacking, and the plan itself seemed flawed. The bowling strategy failed to apply early pressure, and the batting approach fell apart during the power play. The only aspect that stood out was their fielding, which was solid.
Let's dissect these failures... India's target seemed challenging, and Pakistan's start was disastrous. Being positive is one thing, but their approach was reckless, especially considering the loss of wickets. Saim Ayub fell victim to a brilliant delivery from Jaspreet Bumrah, but the rest of the top order batted as if they were playing street cricket, lacking the intensity required for an international match.
What's even more frustrating is that India's performance, while competent, wasn't extraordinary enough to justify a 61-run victory. The parade of irresponsible batting began with Salman Agha and Babar Azam, the senior batsmen, who failed to anchor the innings and take responsibility.
Usman Khan provided some resistance, but the pressure of early wickets and the impact on the run rate was overwhelming. His effort was decent, but the situation demanded something exceptional.
And this is the part most people miss... The toss was a crucial moment, a chance for a reset in the rivalry. Would the captains shake hands, a symbol of sportsmanship? They didn't. The tension remained, with Salman and Suryakumar barely acknowledging each other.
The decision to bowl first seemed defensive, and Pakistan's performance suggested they were overwhelmed by the occasion. Suryakumar was content to bat first, and Salman's decision to bowl the first over himself was a mixed bag, resulting in a wicket but also setting the tone for a struggling bowling attack.
Kishan vs. Pakistan's Bowling
The brilliance of Ishan Kishan played a significant role in India's dominance. He stood tall, delivering powerful strokes and dancing down the wicket with precision. Pakistan's bowlers, especially Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed, struggled to contain him. They bowled as if going through the motions, failing to adapt to Kishan's rampage.
A controversial strategy... Pakistan's approach of unnecessary variations backfired. Having backed spin bowling, they didn't utilize it effectively. The pitch was taking turn, and when Pakistan opted for classical spin, it worked. Usman Tariq's variations were effective, but it was Saim Ayub who brought Pakistan back into the contest with the wickets of Kishan and Hardik Pandya.
The hat-trick ball from Saim was a masterpiece, but Shivam Dube managed to survive. Pakistan's spinners pulled the game back, reducing the run rate, but Afridi's final over allowed India to reach a formidable total.
For Pakistani fans, the relief is that they're still in the tournament, but the team has a long way to go to challenge the top nations. Despite the disappointing performance, Pakistan honored their commitment to the tournament, pleasing Sri Lanka, India, and the ICC.
Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2026
