T20 World Cup 2026: 'Rain threat? Can’t think of any other cricketing reason to bowl first' - Aakash Chopra questions Pakistan's decision vs India
Aakash Chopra was perplexed by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha's decision to bowl first after winning the toss in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Aakash Chopra was perplexed by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha's decision to bowl first after winning the toss in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.
The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for being a slow surface, and the former India opener opined that chasing would be difficult for the Men in Green. Chopra mentioned that a 160-plus total could be good enough for India to make the head-to-head score 8-1 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cups.
Pakistan choosing to bowl first is kinda surprising. Chasing isn’t going to be easy.
Let’s go India. Get to 160+ and make it 8-1," Chopra wrote on his official 'X' handle.
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81Chopra also pointed out that Pakistan might not have expected swing with the new ball as they would have played an extra pacer if that had been the case. He also mentioned that dew doesn't play a significant role in Colombo, and the forecast for rain could have influenced the decision.
"If Pakistan is hoping for movement with the new ball, they should’ve played an extra pacer. Dew isn’t a concern at Colombo. Rain threat?? Can’t think of any other cricketing reason to bowl first," he wrote in another tweet.
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While the decision paid dividends upfront, with Agha dismissing Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the first over, Ishan Kishan wrestled the momentum back in India's favour with a 27-ball half-century. The Men in Blue raced to 52/1 in six overs.
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