Waqar Younis has a prediction ahead of Pakistan-India T20 World Cup clash

Colombo is set to witness yet another chapter in cricket’s fiercest rivalry tonight as Pakistan and India lock horns in a T20 World Cup 2026 thriller at the R Premadasa Stadium. Former Pakistan captain and pace legend Waqar Younis has made a prediction that the result of the match could very well be dependent on fielding more than anything else.

“Pakistan can’t afford to miss chances,” Waqar said. “India plays very aggressive cricket, and if you give them an opportunity, they will punish it. Fielding will be very important.”

Waqar also stressed that a Pakistan victory should not be seen as an upset. “The team is playing good cricket,” he noted. He advised young batsman Saim Ayub to focus on safe shots and be cautious, particularly on Sri Lankan pitches, which tend to slow down as the game progresses.

COLOMBO CONDITIONS COULD TEST BOTH TEAMS

Tonight’s venue, R Premadasa Stadium, is no stranger to tricky conditions. The surface typically slows as matches progress, providing grip for spinners and bringing cutters into play. Chasing under dew can further tilt the balance late in the innings, making control, variation, and game awareness crucial.

For Pakistan, the fast-bowling trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Faheem Ashraf remains the team’s biggest weapon, while spinners Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed could choke India in the middle overs if the pitch grips.

India’s spin options – Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, could dominate the middle overs, while Jasprit Bumrah and his death-over partners Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will make defending totals under Colombo lights a daunting task.

TACTICAL BATTLES TO WATCH

• Shaheen Shah Afridi vs India’s right-hand heavy top order
• Kuldeep Yadav vs Babar Azam in the middle overs
• Shadab Khan vs Suryakumar Yadav – improvisation showdown
• Jasprit Bumrah vs Pakistan’s lower middle order

While India appears slightly better equipped for Colombo’s slower conditions, Pakistan’s pace battery has the potential to change the game in a matter of three overs. Tonight, it’s not just bat versus ball – it’s pace versus depth, mystery versus match-ups, and two arsenals ready to detonate under the Colombo lights.