Pakistan skipper Babar Azam endured a disappointing outing, managing just five runs off seven deliveries (strike rate 71.43) during the Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
Babar was dismissed by Axar Patel, who cleverly varied his pace and flight. The left-arm spinner delivered a fuller under-cutter that pitched in front of the stumps. Attempting an ambitious slog over the leg side, Babar played across the line, leaving a significant gap between bat and pad. The ball slipped through and crashed into the stumps, compounding Pakistan’s early troubles.
His dismissal followed a fierce new-ball burst from India’s pace duo. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya tore through the top order, reducing Pakistan to 13 for 3 inside two overs. Pandya struck first, removing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck in the opening over. Bumrah then delivered a double blow in his first over, dismissing Saim Ayub (6) and captain Salman Ali Agha (4).
The combined tally of Pakistan’s top three batters was just 10 runs — their lowest aggregate in a T20 World Cup match and their fewest against India in the tournament’s history — setting the tone for a one-sided contest.
