Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin questioned Pakistan’s skipper Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bowl first against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. India posted a par score of 175 runs on the board on a pitch, which had a lot of assistance for the spinners.
Ishan Kishan scored a match-winning knock of 77 runs off just 40 balls to put India in the driver’s seat. In response, Pakistan was skittled out for 114 and suffered a huge loss.
On the other hand, Salman at toss said there will be help for the bowlers in the first few overs and they wanted to exploit that.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Where did they win to lose the plot? Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl first after winning the toss because we saw the match between Australia and Zimbabwe. Australia struggled to get 170. When we see IPL matches, teams win easily if they need 100 runs off the last 10 overs. But it’s not happening in this World Cup. In Premadasa Stadium, you can’t chase 100 in ten overs. The way Pakistan deals with pressure, India are 100 times better in that aspect. I don’t think Pakistan are there. Honestly, Pakistan have become tactically better under Salman Agha and Mike Hesson. But the way they brought Shaheen Afridi after Agha’s first over was a terrible mistake.”
Ashwin slammed Salman Agha’s captaincy to bring on Shaheen Shah Afridi into the attack in the second over against Ishan Kishan when the pitch had all the assistance for the spinners
“You took Abhishek Sharma’s wicket and he is leaking runs left, right and centre. We noted in the preview how dangerous Ishan Kishan is against left-arm seam. I feel cricketers need to be explained, ‘This is your match-up’. Data tells the truth. When you say Ishan is taking on left-arm seam, he is taking it on. I’m not saying don’t bowl left-arm seam to him but they must do something different. If Shaheen was getting whacked, I would’ve loved to see him come round the wicket to the left-hander. He didn’t do it and the second over should have been Saim Ayub.”
After Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck, Afridi was taken for 15 runs in the second over. Afridi conceded 31 runs in the two overs he bowled as he gave away 16 runs in the last over.
“The fast bowler released the pressure. India were 159 after 19 overs and Afridi was brought again and he leaked runs again. Afridi gave away 16 runs in the final over. Pakistan fielding first was the first mistake. Second mistake was Afridi’s insertion into the attack in the second over. Third mistake was the last over by Afridi. In batting, there is no application.”
India will next take on the Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Wednesday.
