Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 27 SPORTS February 20, 2026 Cricket-Suryakumar Dedicates Win To India, Salman Looks At ‘Big Picture’ After Loss I ndia captain Suryakumar Yadav dedi- cated Sunday’s Twenty20World Cup victory over Pakistan to fans across the country, while his opposite num- ber Salman Agha urged perspective after a chastening defeat in a contest that never matched its blockbuster billing. The much-hyped showdown be- tween the South Asian neighbours, who engaged in a military conflict that nearly snowballed into a fully-fledged war last year, failed to ignite as India racked up 175-7 and then returned to bundle out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs. The match itself passed without flash- points despite the tensions, but there was no shaking of hands between the rival captains at the toss. Both Suryakumar and Salman looked grim when the coin was flipped and averted eye contact. The mood was completely different when the India captain spoke after the match at the R Premadasa Stadium. “This is for India. We played the same brand of cricket that we wanted to play,” the batter said, sporting a wide grin. Suryakumar heaped praise on opener Ishan Kishan whose rapid 77 fashioned their victory. “The way Ishan Kishan batted is the same as he did in our previous games and on the domestic circuit. Ishan thought outside the box and took respon- sibility in the powerplay.” Player of the match Kishan conceded it was not just another game for them given the tensions between the nations. “India v Pakistan is a special game for us and our country,” Kishan said. “It is a very important game. They had good spinners and we tried to play good shots. It gives us confidence going ahead in the tournament.” The match had been in doubt after Pakistan had decided to boycott it in solidarity with Bangladesh, who refused to tour India over safety concerns and were replaced by Scotland in the 20-team tournament. The governing International Cricket Council held hectic behind-the-scenes discussions to salvage the fixture even though it ended in a lop-sided contest with India improving their T20World Cup record against Pakistan to 8-1. Pakistan captain Salman felt his team- mates should have done better despite the burden of expectation on their shoulders. “In these games the emotions are go- ing to be high but we have played enough cricket,” Salman said. “We need to get ourselves together and look to the game in a few days’ time. “You have to see the big picture. We need to qualify for the Super Eight now.” Pakistan will need to beat Namibia in their final group game to qualify for the Super Eight where the arch-rivals may clash again. -Reuters PHOTOS:REUTERS/LAHIRU HARSHANA ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group A – India v Pakistan – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka – February 15, 2026 India’s Tilak Varma celebrates with Suryakumar Yadav after dismissing Pakistan’s Shadab Khan. India’s Varun Chakravarthy celebrates with teammates after a wicket. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group A – India v Pakistan – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka – February 15, 2026 Pakistan’s Babar Azam is bowled out by India’s Axar Patel. India’s Tilak Varma celebrates with Suryakumar Yadav after dismissing Pakistan’s Shadab Khan. Pakistan’s Usman Tariq and Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi react after the match.