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Ashwin Blames Toss Decision for Pakistan's Crushing T20 WC Loss to India

Ravichandran Ashwin pinpointed Pakistan's decision to bowl first after winning the toss as the moment they lost the T20 World Cup match against India. He criticized the team's tactical errors, including the mishandling of spearhead Shaheen Afridi during the powerplay against a dangerous Ishan Kishan. Ashwin noted that chasing has been exceptionally difficult at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium throughout the tournament, giving India a major advantage. He concluded that India handles pressure situations "100 times better" than their rivals.

Key Points: Ashwin: Pakistan Lost T20 WC Game at Toss vs India

  • Toss decision crucial on tough Colombo pitch
  • Pakistan's poor powerplay bowling tactics
  • Criticism of Shaheen Afridi's expensive overs
  • India's superior handling of pressure
3 min read

T20 WC: 'Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl against India,' opines Ashwin

R Ashwin analyses Pakistan's heavy defeat, saying opting to bowl first on a tough Colombo pitch was the decisive tactical error against India.

T20 WC: 'Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl against India,' opines Ashwin
"Pakistan lost the game when they opted to bowl first after winning the toss. - Ravichandran Ashwin"

New Delhi, Feb 16

Former India spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin did not hold back while analysing Pakistan's heavy loss to the Men in Blue in the 2026 T20 World Cup, pointing to the toss as the defining moment of the contest.

India secured a dominant 61-run victory in Colombo, and Ashwin believed Pakistan's choice to field first after winning the toss handed India a crucial advantage on a surface where chasing has proven difficult throughout the tournament.

"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 said on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat.

Ashwin also questioned Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha's handling of his bowlers in the powerplay, particularly the decision to bring Shaheen Afridi into the attack early instead of using alternative match-ups.

"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."

He further criticised Pakistan's inability to regain control late in the innings, noting how Afridi's return overs allowed India to accelerate freely.

"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," he added.

India will conclude their league-stage matches against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday before starting their preparations for the Super 8s.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral cricket fan, I have to agree. The data doesn't lie. Bowling Shaheen to Kishan when he's strong against left-arm pace was a basic tactical error. Salman Agha has improved them, but the pressure of an India match still gets to them.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, the toss was important but our batting was clinical. The way Rahul and Kishan built that partnership... magic! Pakistan's fielding was also below par. You can't give chances to these Indian batters.
P
Priya S
While I love a good India win, I feel we should be careful with such harsh public criticism of the opposition captain's decisions. It was a high-pressure game, mistakes happen. Our own team has made wrong calls in the past. Let's win with grace.
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Aman W
Ash Anna breaking it down perfectly! "Ash ki Baat" is the best cricket analysis out there. He's right about the 100-run chase in 10 overs myth in Colombo. The ball was holding up. Pakistan just read the conditions wrong. On to the Netherlands now!
K
Karthik V
The mental game is everything. Ashwin says India handles pressure 100 times better, and the scoreboard proves it. When Shaheen was getting hit, they had no Plan B. Our bowlers would have immediately changed the angle or length. Big difference in mindset.

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