The big question in every cricket fan’s mind right now is: Will the India vs Pakistan match happen on February 15? After a week of tension and rumors that Pakistan might boycott the Group A clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, we finally have some “insider” clarity. Sources suggest there is now a 99% chance the match will go ahead as scheduled.
While the Pakistan government initially hinted at skipping the game to show solidarity with Bangladesh, the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have been working overtime behind the scenes. For a tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, an India vs Pakistan match is the heart of the event and losing it would mean a massive financial blow to everyone involved.
Why the Boycott Rumors are Fading
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly invoked a “Force Majeure” clause, but the ICC has been firm. If Pakistan refuses to play, they won’t just lose points—they could face heavy fines and their Net Run Rate (NRR) would crash to zero for that match.
In a tight Group A with teams like USA and Netherlands, Pakistan cannot afford a “self-inflicted” loss. After their narrow 3-wicket win against the Netherlands on opening day, the pressure is on.
India vs Pakistan: Team News & Playing XI Updates
Team India is already in high spirits after beating the USA by 29 runs at the Wankhede. Suryakumar Yadav has proven his captaincy mettle, and the bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah looks lethal on these sub-continent tracks.
India’s Likely Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
Pakistan’s Likely Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (C), Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi.
Colombo Weather & Pitch Report
The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for assisting spinners as the game progresses. However, with the February heat in Colombo, the toss will be crucial. Expect the captain winning the toss to bowl first and chase under the lights.
T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table Update (Group A)
Currently, India leads the group with a solid NRR of +1.450. Pakistan is in second place. If the match on February 15 happens, the winner will likely secure a spot in the Super 8s.
Stay tuned to Cricket Insider for more “Live” updates from Colombo. We will be bringing you the latest weather reports and “Dream11 Prediction” tips as we get closer to the toss!
T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table: Latest Group Standings & Super 8 Race
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is off to a flyer in India and Sri Lanka! With 20 teams battling across four groups, the race for the Super 8s is already heating up. On this page, we bring you the most accurate and updated points table, updated live after every match.
Group A: The Heavyweights Lead
In Group A, the big news isn’t just the cricket—it’s the off-field drama. India sits comfortably at the top after a clinical 29-run victory over the USA at the Wankhede. Pakistan survived a major scare against the Netherlands, winning by 3 wickets, but all eyes are now on the February 15 clash in Colombo.
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +1.450 |
| Pakistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.239 |
| Namibia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.239 |
| USA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1.450 |
Group B: Sri Lanka Takes Charge
Co-hosts Sri Lanka started their campaign with a solid 20-run win over Ireland. With Australia yet to play their first game, the Lankans have a golden opportunity to build a lead at the top of the table.
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +1.000 |
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Zimbabwe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Oman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Ireland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1.000 |
Group C: The “Group of Death”?
Group C is looking dangerous. West Indies dominated Scotland in their opener, while England just barely escaped with a 4-run win against a spirited Nepal side in Mumbai. Keep an eye on the newcomers, Italy, who play their first match today.
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| West Indies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +1.750 |
| England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.200 |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Nepal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.200 |
| Scotland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1.750 |
Group D: New Zealand Starts Strong
New Zealand proved why they are always tournament favorites by chasing down 183 against Afghanistan in Chennai. South Africa begins their quest today against Canada in Ahmedabad, a match they are expected to win comfortably.
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +1.161 |
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| UAE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Afghanistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1.161 |
T20 World Cup 2026 Format & Rules
For those new to the format, here is how the qualification works:
- Top 2 teams from each group move into the Super 8 stage.
- Points: 2 points for a win, 1 for a No Result, 0 for a loss.
- Tie-breaker: If points are equal, the Net Run Rate (NRR) decides who goes through.
Stay tuned to Cricket Insider for the fastest score updates and T20 World Cup points table changes.