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India Beats Pakistan by 61 Runs While England Struggles in T20 World Cup Group Stage

Updated (22 articles)

India's 61‑Run Victory Over Pakistan in Colombo India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 15 February 2026, sealing a dominant group‑stage win[2][3]. Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 77 off 40 balls, setting a rapid tempo for the chase[2][3]. Spin bowler Varun Chakaravarthy claimed six wickets for 80 runs, while pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya added four wickets for 33 runs, restricting Pakistan’s total[2]. Pakistan’s bowlers proved costly, with Shaheen Afridi delivering only two expensive overs before being pulled from the attack[2].

England Posts Mixed Scores, Secures Super 8 Spot England’s group‑stage campaign featured a 202‑7 win over Italy, a 184‑7 victory against Nepal, a 166 all‑out collapse versus West Indies, and a successful chase of 153 to beat Scotland[1]. Despite the inconsistency, England qualified for the Super 8s where they will meet Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand[1]. The side recorded fourteen innings of 25+ runs, yet only four reached a half‑century and none exceeded 75, prompting concerns about batting depth[1].

Key Individual Stats Reveal Strengths and Weaknesses Jos Buttler accumulated just 53 runs across four matches, with a 35.8 average against 75‑82 mph pace and a 24.1 average against spin since 2024[1]. Harry Brook has been dismissed by spin in three successive innings, his spin average falling to 23.5 while maintaining a 47 average against pace[1]. All‑rounder Will Jacks struck 39* off 18 balls versus Nepal and recorded a maiden T20 fifty against Italy, but his six overs conceded 83 runs, including 31 runs from sweep shots[1]. Death‑bowler Sam Curran defended 10 runs in Nepal’s final over and kept his economy to 5.07 runs per over with full‑length yorkers, contrasting sharply with his 14.14 RPO when using shorter deliveries[1].

Handshake Ban and Media‑Driven Rivalry Context The no‑handshake protocol stems from the 22 April 2022 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, prompting cricket boards to ban post‑match handshakes[2]. Before the Colombo clash, India captain Suryakumar Yadav replied “Wait for 24 hours and you will find out,” while Pakistan captain Salman Agha answered “You will know tomorrow,” leaving the issue unresolved under referee Richie Richardson’s oversight[2]. The Hindu argues the India‑Pakistan rivalry now persists mainly in media narratives, with on‑field contests increasingly one‑sided and lacking historic tension[2].

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Timeline

Jan 3, 2026 – India U‑19 post 301 all out and win a DLS‑adjusted 25‑run victory over South Africa U‑19 in Benoni, anchored by Harvansh Pangalia’s 93 and RS Ambrish’s 65, securing the opening Youth ODI win of the series[11].

Jan 22, 2026 – Sri Lanka beat England by 19 runs in Colombo, posting 271/6 and bowling England out for 252, extending England’s 11th straight ODI defeat away from home[5].

Jan 24, 2026 – England chase 220 for five wickets at R Premadasa, the first successful chase at the venue in 11 ODIs; Harry Brook calls the surface “probably the worst” he has ever played on and Joe Root describes it as “very difficult”[4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Sam Curran claims England’s second T20I hat‑trick in Pallekele, dismissing three Sri Lankan batsmen in the final three balls to give England an 11‑run DLS win and mark England’s ninth consecutive T20I victory over Sri Lanka (a streak dating from 2016)[3].

Feb 2, 2026 – India A post 238/3 and defeat the USA by 38 runs in a T20 World Cup warm‑up at DY Patil Stadium; Narayan Jagadeesan scores 104 off 55 balls and Tilak Varma returns from a month‑long lay‑off with a quick 38[10].

Feb 3, 2026 – England defend a record low target of 129 to beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs in Pallekele, with Sam Curran’s career‑best 58 and spinners Jacob Bethell 4‑11 and Will Jacks 3‑14; coach Brendon McCullum lauds the spin performance and Luke Wood’s rotation[2].

Feb 4, 2026 – Suryakumar Yadav ends a 14‑month half‑century drought, hitting 82* off 37 in the New Zealand series, earning his sixth Player‑of‑the‑Series award and positioning India to defend the T20 World Cup at home, starting in Mumbai against the USA[8].

Feb 4, 2026 – Aaron George scores 115 off 104 as India U‑19 chase 310 in 41.1 overs, setting a tournament record for the highest‑ever chase and booking a final against England[9].

Feb 8, 2026 – England open the T20 World Cup against Nepal, carrying momentum from the low‑target defence in Sri Lanka[2].

Feb 15, 2026 – India defeat Pakistan by 61 runs at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium in the T20 World Cup, with Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 77 off 40 anchoring the chase[6].

Feb 16, 2026 – Analysts note India’s 8‑0 ODI World Cup record and 8‑1 T20 World Cup record against Pakistan, highlighting a widening quality gap; the no‑handshake protocol remains in place after the April 2022 Pahalgam terror attack[7].

Feb 19, 2026 – England’s mixed group‑stage performances in the T20 World Cup include 202‑7 win over Italy, 184‑7 vs Nepal, 166 all out vs West Indies and a 153/4 chase of Scotland; concerns rise over Jos Buttler’s low return (53 runs) and Harry Brook’s vulnerability to spin, while Sam Curran excels as a death bowler[1].

Feb 19 – later 2026 (future) – England advance to the Super 8s to face Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, aiming to improve batting depth after only four fifties in the group stage[1].

2026 (future) – India seek to become the first side to retain the T20 World Cup on home soil, building on the 2024 triumph under Rohit Sharma[8].

2012 (historical) – England previously defended the same low total of 129 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, the lowest target they have ever successfully defended in T20 cricket[2].

2016 (historical) – England’s nine‑straight T20I win streak over Sri Lanka begins, underscoring their dominance in the format[3].

Apr 2022 (historical) – The no‑handshake protocol between India and Pakistan originates from the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, influencing subsequent bilateral matches[7].

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