Muhammad Nawaz is the most likely candidate to miss out due to concerns about his effectiveness against India's left-handed batsmen. The final XI will be decided after a pitch inspection, with weather also a potential factor.

Karachi: Pakistan is expected to field a four-man specialist bowling attack for Sunday’s T20 World Cup marquee match against India, according to sources close to the team management.

Head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha are reportedly prioritising a balanced attack featuring two specialist spinners, Abrar Ahmed and the recently cleared "trump card" Usman Tariq, alongside the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Mirza.

The strategic shift at the R. Premadasa Stadium would likely force a difficult decision in the middle order, requiring one of the three frontline all-rounders, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, or Faheem Ashraf, to be omitted from the starting XI.

“The only problem for the team management is: if they go in with four specialist bowlers, they have to make a call on who will sit out among Faheem, Shadab and Nawaz,” a team source said.

The Tactical Puzzle

With the top five positions solidified by Saim Ayub, Sahabzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, and Usman Khan, the coaching staff is weighing match-ups at numbers six and seven.

Sources indicate that Muhammad Nawaz is the most likely candidate to be sidelined. Despite being a veteran left-arm spinner, the management is cautious about his effectiveness against an Indian lineup packed with left-handed batters, including Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube.

“The feeling is better to play Faheem as he is in good batting form and will be the third pacer if required, and Shadab, whose leg spin will be useful against the southpaw batters,” the source added.

First Look at Premadasa

The final composition remains subject to a final pitch inspection on Sunday morning. Pakistan has yet to play at the Premadasa in this tournament, having secured earlier victories over the Netherlands and the USA at the Sinhalese Sports Ground.

Heavy rains and a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal have also cast a shadow over the fixture, with the Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology forecasting a 65% chance of thunderstorms during match hours. If the surface remains under covers, the management may reconsider the third seamer option.

Probable Pakistan XI: Saim Ayub, Sahabzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (Capt), Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.

With inputs from PTI

Published: 14 Feb 2026, 06:59 pm IST

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