5 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Feb 12, 2026 09:44 AM IST
With their first win over the US of America, two years after the 2024 T20 World Cup debacle, Pakistan on Tuesday teased what might set them aside when India and their possible Tremendous 8 opponents come rolling later this match.
The platform for a 28-run victory in Colombo was laid down by an improved batting efficiency, however captain Salman Agha additionally unveiled his staff’s distinctive spin-bowling concoction through the previous SSC cricket floor’s first night time T20I.
In limiting the USA’s 191 chase, Pakistan deployed 16 overs of slow-bowling distinction. Their star pacer, Shaheen Afridi, rendered ineffective on a more true pitch, leaking 42 in 4 overs. Agha didn’t summon seam all-rounder Faheem Ashraf both, however fairly resorted to his spin riches.
Even because the batting squadron continues to fall on middling strains, there’s advantage in plotting this Pakistan aspect as darkish horses on the sticky Lankan strips for this assorted spin band.
Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed bowls through the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Picture/Ok.M. Chaudary)
In thriller man Abrar Ahmed, offie Saim Ayub, who operates with the brand new ball, and all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan convey a spin assault that might stand on par with India and Afghanistan. Increasing the arsenal from their nervy win over the Netherlands final week, Pakistan additionally reeled within the “two-elbowed” slinger-spinner, Usman Tariq, in opposition to the USA batters.
When India belted their second-highest T20I rating (271/5) in opposition to New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram final month, Pakistan’s spin quintet stubbed Australia to a 90-run defeat the identical day. Defending 198 on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the spinners mixed for 14.4 overs and snapped up all 10 wickets. In males’s T20Is involving Full-Member groups, it was solely the second occasion in historical past the place spinners had bagged all 10 wickets. India had equally bowled out the West Indies in 2022, with three spinners producing each dismissal.
Their newest project noticed them nab seven wickets unfold throughout 16 overs in all phases in Colombo, conceding 105 runs. Solely as soon as have extra overs of spin been utilized by a staff in a T20 World Cup match, coincidentally additionally by Pakistan (18) in Colombo in opposition to Australia in 2012.
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Having performed all of their T20Is in related subcontinent circumstances for the reason that begin of the Asia Cup in September 2025, Pakistan are prone to prolong the technique for the rest of the World Cup and paper over the batting cracks.
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq bowls through the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Picture/Ok.M. Chaudary)
Frugal bunch
Pakistan spinners have been essentially the most frugal bunch on this interval. Averaging 15.55 for 113 wickets with a 6.63 economic system, they’ve edged out Afghanistan and India on each fronts. Whereas the Indian spin assault boasts one of the best strike charge (13.2) heading into the World Cup, Pakistan are inside arm’s size, putting roughly each 14 deliveries.
With their batting opener Ayub even doubling up as an unlikely Powerplay enforcer with the ball, Pakistan have bowled extra spin within the first six overs than another staff within the final six months. Ayub has collected 10 of Pakistan’s 51 Powerplay wickets, rising as essentially the most profitable spinner up entrance on the earth on this interval. With Nawaz, Abrar, and the others manning the middle-overs, their versatile assault has been as efficient within the section as India, with negligible strike charge variations. One other issue that might heighten the risk on the island is the spin pack’s conjoined skill to relay slower speeds with sharper efficacy than their Indian counterparts.
As a lot of the top-ranked groups shuttle between various circumstances in India and Sri Lanka within the match, Pakistan can proceed to construct on the spin-bowling core and unsettle oppositions. Even the red-hot Indians can be compelled to make changes if they’re to tackle Pakistan within the knockouts, a state of affairs that can push their video games out from Mumbai/Ahmedabad to the cheesy Colombo pitches.
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Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, second proper, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Netherlands’ Zach Lion-Cachet through the T20 World Cup cricket match between Netherlands and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Picture/Eranga Jayawardena)
The 2-paced circumstances on the Wankhede Stadium had compelled the Indian batters to veer away from their one-dimensional hitting exhibitions, requiring captain Suryakumar Yadav to wage a stellar rescue act on his residence floor. With as many as six left-handers within the Indian prime eight, it will likely be fascinating to see how Pakistan organize the 4 overs of Tariq, whose motion continues to divide opinions and spark discussions on social media.
His uncommon stop-and-sling within the supply stride might unsettle the Indian batters, disrupting their methodical takedown of high-quality assaults on belters at residence during the last two months.
For mercurial Pakistan, stress can be fixed, as will the suspense over which model turns up on every match day. When India arrive for the rejuvenated Sunday tie in Colombo, Pakistan might assemble a spin-heavy sauce which will not be a secret however sufficient to neutralise just a few of the defending champions’ strengths.
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