Against India at the Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan became the first team in men’s T20 World Cup history to use six spinners in an innings.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha sprung a surprise by taking the first over after winning the toss and asking India to bat in the 2026 T20 World Cup match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
From the first over, it became evident that the ball was not coming on to the bat. Agha used Shaheen Shah Afridi in the second over: once he went for 15, Pakistan switched to spin at both ends.
Saim Ayub came on first-change, replacing Shaheen, followed by the two leg-spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. They were followed by Mohammad Nawaz and, as the seventh bowler, Usman Tariq.
Pakistan’s six spinners are now the most used by any side in a Men’s T20 World Cup match. They also equalled their own record of 18 overs of spin in a single innings.
There were six previous instances of five spinners, including one in this edition, by Pakistan against the USA at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Notably, two of the other instances of five spinners also came at Premadasa: both India and Pakistan had done this against Australia in the 2012 edition. It was against Australia that Pakistan had deployed 18 overs of spin.
India eventually finished on 175-7. Ishan Kishan top-scored with a 40-ball 77, while Saim had 3-25 from his four overs.
Match 27, India vs Pakistan
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Most spinners used in a Men’s T20 World Cup innings
| Spinners | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Team | Opposition | Opposition | Year |
| 6 | 18 | 142 | 5 | Pakistan | India | Colombo (Premadasa) | 2026 |
| 5 | 14 | 75 | 3 | India | South Africa | Nottingham | 2009 |
| 5 | 12 | 106 | 2 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Gros Islet | 2010 |
| 5 | 9.5 | 94 | 1 | India | Australia | Colombo (Premadasa) | 2012 |
| 5 | 18 | 105 | 7 | Pakistan | Australia | Colombo (Premadasa) | 2012 |
| 5 | 12.5 | 112 | 4 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Sharjah | 2021 |
| 5 | 16 | 115 | 7 | Pakistan | USA | Colombo (SSC) | 2026 |
Note: In the Women’s T20 World Cup, India used six spinners against both Ireland and England in 2018, while Pakistan did the same against Australia in 2024.
