Pakistan had earlier indicated it would boycott the match in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were removed from the tournament after declining to tour India

"Lifting the team is only difficult when you don't work on your mistakes committed in the last game," Usman Tariq said.

The cricket-mad South Asian neighbors have a bitter history, punctuated by violence and wars. It makes this one of the fiercest, and most financially lucrative, rivalries in sports.

The neighbors have been in conflict over the disputed border region since their independence and partition in 1947.

Pakistan's meek surrender against India in the World Cup left fans bewildered. Despite possessing spinners suited for the slow Colombo pitch, Pakistan's decision to field first and their batting approach proved costly.

Wasim Akram on India Pakistan match: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has sharply criticized the team's performance against India. He highlighted flawed decisions, including batting first on a turning pitch and questionable bowling choices.

India and Pakistan have historically had strained political relations. However, since the Pahalgam attacks in April 2025, India's stance towards Pakistan has intensified. The twist, though, is that the PCB has often opted to fight and lose its battles, rather than giving up at the very start.

Ishan Kishan has made a remarkable comeback in the T20 World Cup, scoring consecutive half-centuries and playing a crucial role in India's Super 8s qualification. His match-winning 77 against Pakistan,