In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage contest at the R. Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo, India registered a commanding victory over Pakistan, beating their arch-rivals by a convincing 61 runs. After being put into bat, India put up a competitive total, with Ishan Kishan’s aggressive 77-run knock off just 40 deliveries steering them to 175/7.
Their bowlers then met the challenge with discipline and precision, restricting Pakistan to 114 all out in just 18 overs. The result not only highlighted India’s superior performance on the day, but also reinforced their qualification for the Super 8 stage with a third straight win in the tournament. Pakistan’s chase never truly threatened, as early breakthroughs and a tight bowling effort kept them on the back foot throughout the innings.
Naqvi’s Early Exit Sparks Discussion
While the on-field action was one-sided, attention inevitably shifted to a moment off the pitch that stirred discussion on social media and in cricket circles. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi made headlines not for his statements or reactions after the match, but for departing the stadium before the conclusion of Pakistan’s innings.
With Pakistan already five wickets down and their chances of a comeback fading, a video circulated online showing Naqvi’s car leaving the R. Premadasa venue while the match was still in progress.
The footage prompted reactions from fans across platforms, and although there has been no official statement explaining his early departure, a source told The Hindustan Times Digital that “Hearing from Pakistan media people that Mohsin Naqvi indeed left” as the loss became inevitable.
Reactions and Wider Implications
The timing of Naqvi’s exit — before the final wicket was taken — became a focal point in the narrative of Pakistan’s collapse. Many observers noted that his departure came at a juncture when the team’s batting was unraveling, and the required run rate was climbing sharply.
With emotions already high due to the intense India-Pakistan rivalry in cricket, this moment added another layer of scrutiny regarding the leadership’s response under pressure. Social media posts widely shared the clips under tags referencing his departure, with some users dubbing it an instance of “running away before the inevitable.”
Regardless of these off-field developments, India’s performance remained the defining element of the clash, with a balanced display of power hitting and incisive bowling sealing a comprehensive win that resonated loudly in the contest between the two traditional rivals.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagramfor more such updates.
