The much-hyped “Battle of Colombo” ended not with a bang, but a whimper for Pakistan. On February 15, 2026, the T20 World Cup witnessed yet another dominant chapter in the India-Pakistan rivalry. India’s 61-run victory didn’t just cement their place in the Super 8s; it triggered a firestorm of criticism back in Pakistan, led by a particularly vocal former spinner.
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Danish Kaneria, never one to mince words, suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) initial threat to boycott the game was actually a better strategy than showing up and being “decimated in high definition.”
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Colombo Rout: How Ishan Kishan and Co. Dismantled Pakistan
India’s victory was clinical from the start. Despite losing opener Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the first over, India never looked back.
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The Kishan Assault: Ishan Kishan smashed 77 off 40 balls, including a memorable six off Shaheen Shah Afridi to set the tone.
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The Target: India finished at 175/7, a formidable total on a “sticky” Colombo pitch that offered significant turn.
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The Collapse: Pakistan’s chase was dead on arrival. Hardik Pandya started with a wicket-maiden, and the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel ensured Pakistan was bundled out for a mere 114 in 18 overs.
Danish Kaneria’s “High Definition” Reality Check
As the match was being screened publicly across Dera Ghazi Khan, Kaneria took to social media and interviews to roast the national team.
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The Screenings: He noted that the decision to show the match on big screens only served to let fans see “the reality” of the team’s struggles in vivid detail.
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The U-Turn Label: Kaneria called Pakistan “U-turn specialists,” referring to the government’s initial refusal to play in India/Sri Lanka in solidarity with Bangladesh, only to participate after ICC pressure.
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The Boycott Comment: “A boycott would have saved face,” Kaneria argued, pointing out that an 8-1 T20 World Cup head-to-head record suggests the “rivalry” is currently non-existent.
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The Boycott Saga: Solidarity, U-Turns, and 18 Overs of Spin
The lead-up to the match was defined by geopolitical tension. The PCB had threatened to skip the Colombo clash after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament (following their refusal to play in India).
Investigative Note: To counter India’s batting, Pakistan employed a record-equaling 18 overs of spin during the match. While Saim Ayub took 3/25, the over-reliance on slow bowlers backfired during the powerplay and death overs, where Kishan and Shivam Dube found the boundaries at will.
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[GROUP A STANDINGS: POST-COLOMBO CLASH]
| Team | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) | Status |
| India | 6 | +1.241 | Qualified |
| USA | 4 | +0.787 | In Contention |
| Pakistan | 4 | -0.403 | Must Win vs Namibia |
| Netherlands | 2 | -0.650 | Mathematically Alive |
Investigative Angle: The “No Handshake” Policy Returns
A subtle but significant flashpoint occurred during the toss. Captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha reportedly refused to shake hands, a carry-over from the acrimonious 2025 Asia Cup.
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Tensions: The “acrimonious” atmosphere was further fueled by reports that the ICC had to intervene with $38 million in potential legal threats to ensure Pakistan fulfilled its broadcast commitments.
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The “Kuldeep” Incident: Post-match, cameras caught a heated exchange between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav regarding a fielding lapse by Kuldeep Yadav—suggesting that even in victory, the pressure of the fixture was immense.
Next Steps
If you are a Pakistan fan, you should watch the Namibia vs Pakistan match on Feb 18, as anything less than a win will see the team exit in the first round for the second consecutive tournament. Furthermore, for those looking toward the Super 8s, you should track the India vs Netherlands match in Ahmedabad, which will determine if India finishes as the top seed of Group A.
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