Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 journey hit a major snag with a 61-run thrashing by India in Colombo on Sunday. Captain Salman Ali Agha dissected the loss, highlighting how powerplay profligacy turned a winnable chase into a rout.
Needing 176 for victory, disaster struck early. Pakistan hemorrhaged four wickets by over 4.5, derailing any momentum. They limped to 114 in 18 overs, unable to recover. Agha’s verdict was stark: ‘3-4 wickets in powerplay? You’re chasing shadows the rest of the match.’
The four-spinner strategy flopped amid subpar showings. ‘Crucial lapses in execution hurt us,’ he said. The pitch aided batsmen later, but Pakistan couldn’t capitalize. ‘High emotions in Indo-Pak games demand better handling,’ Agha added wisely.
Group A standings reflect the damage: Pakistan (1 win from 3, NRR -0.403) now third, trailing USA. India’s hat-trick catapults them to Super-8.
Redemption awaits against Namibia on February 18. ‘We’ve bounced back from worse. Focus on that win to qualify—then it’s a new ballgame in Super-8,’ Agha motivated his troops. The pressure is on as Pakistan eyes a turnaround.