COLOMBO — Pakistan captain Salman Agha has urged his team to shift focus to their must-win group match against Namibia after a defeat to India in the Twenty20 World Cup, saying qualification for the Super Eight remains firmly in their hands.
Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs while chasing 176 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, after India posted 175-7. The 61-run result means Pakistan must defeat Namibia in their final group-stage fixture to secure a place in the Super Eight.
“In these games the emotions are going to be high, but we have played enough cricket,” Salman said after the match. He added that the side needed to “get ourselves together” and focus on the bigger picture, which is progressing in the tournament.
Namibia match decisive for Pakistan
Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled to build partnerships during the chase against India, losing wickets at regular intervals and failing to recover from early setbacks.
The captain acknowledged the pressure surrounding high-profile contests but stressed that the team’s immediate priority is the upcoming match against Namibia. A victory in that fixture will confirm Pakistan’s qualification for the Super Eight, where they could potentially face India again.
India build on strong batting display
Earlier, India set a competitive total of 175-7, anchored by opener Ishan Kishan’s 77-run knock, which earned him the player of the match award. His aggressive approach in the powerplay provided early momentum.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to supporters back home and said his side had played according to plan. The victory improved India’s T20 World Cup record against Pakistan to 8-1.
The match drew heightened attention due to the political backdrop between the two countries, though it proceeded without major on-field incidents.
Pakistan to face India on February 15 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
With the group stage nearing its conclusion, Pakistan’s campaign now hinges on their performance against Namibia as they seek to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
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