Usman Tariq’s career is a study in deception. He approaches the box like Bruno Fernandes approaches a penalty – stop, stutter, wait. The dough binds. No ball. It hangs, sinks, spins, and before the tug realizes what has happened, the stumps rattle or the edge is found. Since 24 March 2025, Tariq has not gone a single match without a wicket against Faisalabad. 23 consecutive games. He made someone stupid 23 times.
Two matches into the FIFA T20 World Cup, Pakistan sit unbeaten at the top of Group A. They outlasted the Netherlands with last-minute heroics and dismantled the USA with clinical efficiency. Both wins came in Colombo where the R Premadasa Stadium had plenty to offer for the bowlers.
PAK vs USA, FIFA World Cup T20 2026: Highlights | Scorecard
THE CHAMPION IS HERE
The defending champions will arrive in Colombo on February 15 with history on their side – 13 wins in 16 T20 encounters, including seven out of eight in World Cups.
But for the first time in years, Pakistan could find India’s vulnerabilities: a pitch that catches and turns, spinners who know exactly how to exploit it and an Indian batting order that looked fragile before Suryakumar Yadav’s rescue act against USA.
In T20 cricket, where one bad over can turn everything upside down, Pakistan’s five-man attack could finally tangle India in the green.
PAKISTAN HAS SPIN
Tariq is not alone. Pakistan’s spin attack has quietly become one of the most lethal forces in T20 cricket since the 2024 World Cup final. Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz have claimed 47 wickets apiece in that span. Saim Ayub has 26. Throw in Shadab Khan, fresh from an all-round masterclass against the USA, and suddenly Pakistan can field five wicket-chasing spinners.
The numbers tell the story of Pakistan’s resurgence. Since that final in 2024, they have won 29 of 49 matches, not far behind India’s 32 wins in 42 games among full member nations. Shadab seems to be back in form at the right time (Courtesy: AFP)
They have learned from their Asia Cup mistakes, built depth and found a formula that works in subcontinental conditions. In Colombo, where they trained for two weeks while India completed the group stage elsewhere, the formula found the perfect testing ground.
INDIA’S ACHILLES HEEL
“It will be a challenge going to Colombo, where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks,” admitted Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach. The concession was small, almost grudging. But it was there.
India’s opening match against the USA exposed the cracks that Suryakumar’s brilliance had covered over. On a spicy Wankhede pitch, the Indian batsmen struggled badly before their talisman with an unbeaten 84 rescued them to a 29-run win.
Man for man, India still look stronger. But T20 cricket does not work on paper comparison. It works on moments, on conditions, on who can handle the pressure when the ball starts doing things the batsmen don’t expect.
Pakistan’s spinners have made a career out of creating these moments. On the turns, against hitters who want to dominate, they have become executioners. India’s aggressive batting style – based on taking risks early and often – could go straight into the trap.
MOMENTUM SHIFT
Confidence based on past results is important. India has earned its popular tag thanks to years of dominance over Pakistan. But momentum plays a much more important role in tournaments and right now Pakistan have it. Two wins. Balanced bowling attack. Home conditions. And perhaps the most dangerous thing is belief.
The boycott controversy that threatened to derail their tournament will be behind them. Pakistan knows it has a weapon that works and faces an opponent that may not be ready for it.
When Tariq starts stuttering on February 15, as Abrar throws the ball up and watches his hold as Nawaz slips one over the outside edge, India will face a question they haven’t had to answer for years: what happens when Pakistan actually have the advantage?
History says that India will find a way. But in the spin-friendly cauldron of Colombia, history could finally meet if the champions are not at the top of their game.
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Published on:
February 11, 2026