New Delhi, February 16 – Former Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back while analyzing Pakistan’s heavy defeat to the “Men in Blue” in the 2026 T20 World Cup, pointing to the toss as the defining moment of the match.
India secured a dominant 61-run victory in Colombo, and Ashwin believed that Pakistan’s decision to field first after winning the toss gave India a crucial advantage on a surface where chasing has proven difficult throughout the tournament.
“Where did they go wrong? Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl first after winning the toss because we saw the match between Australia and Zimbabwe. Australia struggled to reach 170. When we look at IPL matches, teams easily win if they need 100 runs in the last 10 overs. But that’s not happening in this World Cup. At the Premadasa Stadium, you can’t chase 100 in ten overs. The way Pakistan handles pressure, India are 100 times better in that aspect. I don’t think Pakistan are up to it. Honestly, Pakistan have become tactically better under Salman Agha and Mike Hesson. But the way they brought Shaheen Afridi into the attack early was a terrible mistake,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat.
Ashwin also questioned Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s handling of his bowlers in the powerplay, particularly the decision to bring Shaheen Afridi into the attack early instead of using alternative match-ups.
“You got Abhishek Sharma’s wicket, and he was leaking runs all over the place. We noted in the preview how dangerous Ishan Kishan is against left-arm seam. I feel cricketers need to be explained, ‘This is your match-up’. Data tells the truth. When you say Ishan is taking on left-arm seam, he is indeed doing so. I’m not saying don’t bowl left-arm seam to him, but they must do something different. If Shaheen was getting whacked, I would have loved to see him bowl from the other side to the left-hander. He didn’t, and the second over should have been Saim Ayub.”
He further criticized Pakistan’s inability to regain control late in the innings, noting how Afridi’s return overs allowed India to accelerate freely.
“The fast bowler released the pressure. India were 159 after 19 overs, and Afridi was brought again, and he leaked runs again. Afridi conceded 16 runs in the final over,” he added.
India will conclude their league-stage matches against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday before starting their preparations for the Super 8s.
