Pakistan was left reeling after a 61-run defeat to the Indian national cricket team in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash in Colombo.
Head coach Mike Hesson did not hide the mood inside the dressing room. “There’s a pretty disappointed dressing room in there at the moment, because they know how much it means to Pakistan,” Hesson said.
The match at the R. Premadasa Stadium had been in doubt until days earlier, when Pakistan were cleared to play. Once underway, India dominated. Sent in to bat, India posted 175-7 on a tacky pitch. Ishan Kishan struck a brilliant 77 after Abhishek Sharma fell in the first over. Suryakumar Yadav made 32, and Shivam Dube added 27.
Pakistan collapsed to 13-3 in reply. Jasprit Bumrah removed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in the second over. Only Usman Khan resisted with 44 as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
“We know that it’s a huge event, Pakistan against India. We obviously won five games on the bounce before today so we were confident, but today we got outplayed,” Hesson said.
He defended the decision to bowl first. “I think the ball was spinning quite a lot initially, and we started well,l but I think the way Kishan played, he took the game away from us.”
The defeat left Pakistan with a 1-8 record in the World Cup against India.
“We have to pick ourselves up and make sure that we’re very good in two or three days,” Hesson said. “We have played some good cricket in the lead-up to this World Cup, so we’re confident to do well in the tournament.”
