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T20 World Cup: 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.