Off-spinner Saim Ayub, who uses the new ball, slinger-spinner Abrar Ahmed, and mystery guy Pakistan offers a spin punch that might rival that of India with to Usman Tariq and all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
Two years after the disastrous 2024 T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s first victory over the United States of America on Tuesday hinted at what would make them stand out when India and their likely Super 8 opponents arrive later in the competition.
During the first night T20I at the old SSC cricket venue, captain Salman Agha not only revealed his team’s special spin-bowling combination, but he also lay the groundwork for a 28-run triumph in Colombo with an improved batting performance.
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Using 16 overs of slow bowling contrast, Pakistan was able to limit the USA’s 191 chase. On a truer pitch, Shaheen Afridi, their premier pacer, was rendered useless, giving up 42 runs in four overs. Instead of calling upon seam all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, Agha turned to his spin wealth.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
There is value in projecting this Pakistani team as dark horses on the sticky Lankan strips for this diverse spin band, despite the fact that the batting lineup is still in mediocre form.
Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed bowls during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Pakistan has a spin attack that can compete with Afghanistan and India thanks to all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, mystery man Abrar Ahmed, and offfie Saim Ayub, who uses the new ball. After their tense victory over the Netherlands last week, Pakistan added Usman Tariq, a “two-elbowed” slinger-spinner, to their arsenal against the USA hitters.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
The same day that India defeated New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram with their second-highest T20I score (271/5), Pakistan’s spin quintet defeated Australia by 90 runs. The spinners took all 10 wickets in 14.4 overs while defending 198 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It was only the second time in history that spinners have taken all ten wickets in men’s Twenty20 Internationals against Full-Member countries. Three spinners produced each dismissal as India bowled out the West Indies in 2022.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
In their most recent assignment, they conceded 105 runs while taking seven wickets over 16 overs in all phases in Colombo. The only other time a team has used more overs of spin in a T20 World Cup match was when Pakistan (18) played Australia in Colombo in 2012.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
Pakistan will probably stick to their plan for the rest of the World Cup and cover the batting gaps because they have played all of their Twenty20 Internationals in subcontinental conditions since the Asia Cup began in September 2025.
Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed bowls during the second T20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
A frugal group
During this time, Pakistan’s spinners have been a frugal group. They have defeated India and Afghanistan on both counts, averaging 15.55 for 113 wickets at an economy rate of 6.63. Pakistan is within striking distance, hitting almost every 14 deliveries, but the Indian spin attack has the highest strike rate (13.2) going into the World Cup.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
Pakistan has bowled more spin in the opening six overs than any other team in the past six months, with its batting opener Ayub even serving as an odd Powerplay enforcer with the ball. Ayub has become the world’s most successful spinner up front during this time, taking 10 of Pakistan’s 51 Powerplay wickets. With Nawaz, Abrar, and the rest covering the middle overs, their adaptable attack has been just as successful as India’s at this phase, with very little difference in strike rates. The combined capacity of the spin pack to relay slower speeds with greater effectiveness than their Indian counterparts is another element that might increase the threat on the island.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
Pakistan can continue to strengthen its spin-bowling core and unsettle opponents as the majority of the top-ranked teams in the competition move between India and Sri Lanka under various conditions. If they want to play Pakistan in the knockout stages, even the fiery Indians will have to adapt, which will compel them to move their matches from Mumbai or Ahmedabad to the tacky Colombo fields.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav had to perform a spectacular comeback on his home field as the Indian hitters were forced to abandon their one-dimensional hitting displays due to the two-paced circumstances at Wankhede Stadium. It would be intriguing to observe how Pakistan arranges Tariq’s four overs, whose action continues to divide opinions and generate discussions on social media, given that the Indian top eight contains up to six left-handers.
The Indian batters’ meticulous takedown of excellent assaults on belters at home over the past two months may be disrupted by his peculiar stop-and-sling in the delivery stride.
Pressure and the anticipation of whatever version would show up on each match day will be relentless for Pakistan, who are an unpredictable team. Pakistan may be able to put together a spin-heavy recipe that eliminates some of the defending champions’ capabilities when India arrives for the first Sunday match in Colombo.For this reason Pakistan’s spin bowling testing India’s top batsmen.