After 30 Years, India and Pakistan Set for High Stakes T20 Showdown in Colombo

Thirty years after an India Pakistan combined XI played Sri Lanka in Colombo in solidarity with the island nation, the two sides are set to clash again at the same venue in a T20 World Cup fixture on Sunday.

On February 13, 1996, an India Pakistan XI took on Sri Lanka at the Premadasa in a bid to show that the country was safe to host matches ahead of the World Cup. It remains one of the rare instances of players from both nations sharing the same side.

Three decades later, the rivalry returns to Colombo amid what officials describe as extensive backroom negotiations. The cricket chiefs of all five Test playing nations from the subcontinent, including absentee Bangladesh, are likely to attend the match at the Premadasa.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha praised his India counterpart Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the match. Suryakumar responded, “They are a good team and are playing good cricket in this tournament.”

With fans travelling from various parts of India, the 35,000 capacity stadium is expected to have a strong Indian presence.

Pakistan have been in Colombo longer and have played a couple of matches at SSC. They also had an additional practice session. The venue offers a larger playing area than most Indian grounds and the surface is slower than pitches India have recently encountered at home.

Both captains downplayed any advantage. Agha said the result would depend on performance on the day. Suryakumar said, “Pakistan may have a slight advantage but we have the experience of so many tours. And we know how to play in these conditions and adjust as per the situation.”

Spin is expected to play a key role. Pakistan field mystery spinners Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed, left arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz and leg spinner Shadab Khan. The team management may consider dropping either Shadab or Nawaz to include a pacer such as Salman Mirza or Naseem Shah.

Tariq has drawn attention for his action. Suryakumar described him as “out of syllabus”. “But in an exam, you can’t leave a question like that, can you,” he said, adding that India are preparing to counter the 31 year old.

During India’s practice session, Suryakumar replicated Tariq’s action while bowling to Abhishek Sharma, who has recovered from illness and is available for selection.

Suryakumar also delivered match winning spells at the same venue during a bilateral T20 series in 2024.

India’s practice on Saturday was cut short by evening drizzle. Groundsmen covered the field as rain interrupted the session. The weather forecast for Sunday remains uncertain.