India put on a masterclass at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, 2026. They blew Pakistan away with a massive 61-run win. After Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha decided to bowl first, Ishan Kishan made him pay for that call immediately. He tore into the bowling, smashing 77 runs off just 40 balls.
Dramatic Fallout After India Crushes Pakistan in Colombo
The Pakistani spinners tried to slow things down; however, India still set a huge target of 175-7 on a pitch that was holding up quite a bit. Pakistan’s chase fell apart almost instantly. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya ripped through the top order, leaving the innings in ruins. The Men in Green eventually crashed out for just 114 in 18 overs. This result sends India straight into the Super 8 stage.
Shockwaves as Management Eyes Drastic Changes
Geo News, via Sports Tak, reports that Pakistan's team bosses have finally had enough. They are now questioning if they can keep playing their two biggest stars. After the mess in Colombo, the management is looking at a massive call: benching both Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi for the must-win game against Namibia.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is staying quiet for now, but sources inside the camp say the officials have already told the players about the move. It’s a desperate play to save their tournament after the team's core players went missing when the pressure was on.
The Decline of Pakistan’s Premier Duo
No one can ignore Babar Azam’s current slump. The 31-year-old hasn’t been himself lately. In Sunday’s big game, the former captain only managed five runs before Axar Patel got past his bat. This is becoming a habit; he hasn’t even hit 15 runs in his last five T20Is against India. Since he’s supposed to hold the batting together, his early exits keep leaving the middle order exposed to the new ball.
It’s a similar story for 25-year-old Shaheen Afridi. He looked like a shadow of the bowler we used to know, giving away 31 runs in only two overs. He couldn't find his usual swing or pace. He’s known as a world-class opening bowler, but his economy rate has jumped to over 11 this tournament. That left the captain with almost no safe options during the powerplay. The stats show the left-armer has only taken three wickets in his last three games.
Pakistan have to beat Namibia to stay in the competition, so the selectors feel these changes are a must. With young talents like Khawaja Nafay and Salman Mirza waiting in the wings, the management finally has the excuse they need to bench the struggling veterans. Fans are waiting for the team sheet to see if the leadership actually has the guts to sideline their most iconic figures in a do-or-die game.
