PAK vs USA: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

• Fixture: Pakistan vs United States of America
• Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group A
• Match: 12th Match, Group A
• Date and Time: 10 February 2026, 7:00 PM IST (Toss 6:30 PM IST)
• Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Match Preview

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is underway in Colombo with a thrilling Group A clash between Pakistan and the United States of America. Pakistan are one of the powerhouse teams in T20 cricket. They have an explosive batting and a dangerous bowling attack. They enter this game after a nervous win against the Netherlands in the tournament opener. They won but it was not comfortable. They need a better performance.

USA will be determined to respond quickly after their Group A defeat to India. India beat them convincingly. The Americans have shown competitive performances in the recent T20Is and will look to destabilize the more established Pakistani team with fearless aggression. They have nothing to lose. They will play without pressure. That makes them dangerous.

This match gives Pakistan a chance to consolidate their position in the group. A win here puts them in a strong position for the Super 8 stage. USA will look to gain momentum and declare themselves on the big stage. They want to show that they can compete with the top teams. This is their chance.

PAK vs USA – Head to Head Record

Pakistan beat USA in their only T20I meeting during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, though the USA forced a Super Over in that game.

PAK vs USA – Squad List

Pitch Report – Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo

Team Analysis

Pakistan

Pakistan have a strong team. They have a rich batting lineup with consistency and power. Babar Azam provides stability. Other players around him can hit boundaries. They have a strong pace attack with wicket-taking options. Shaheen Afridi bowls fast and swings the ball. Haris Rauf bowls yorkers at the death. They have all-round depth and experience in ICC events. They have played World Cups before. They know what is required.

Pakistan also has concerns. If wickets fall early, the middle order can come under pressure. If Babar and Rizwan get out early, the middle order struggles. Bowling plans can be tested by aggressive batting teams. USA will attack. Pakistan will have to adjust.

The key players to watch for Pakistan are Babar Azam who is the main batting anchor and experienced leader. He scores consistently. Shaheen Afridi is a strike bowling threat with pace and bounce. He takes wickets early. Shadab Khan is an all-rounder who makes an impact both in bowling and batting. He can change games.

Further Reading: SA vs AFG: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

United States of America

America has the strength. They have a spirited batting line-up that is capable of making an aggressive start. They are not afraid of prestige. They attack with the first ball. They have disciplined bowling options in seam and spin. Their bowlers stick to the plans.

America has concerns. They have little experience of top international bowling attacks. They have not faced quality bowling like Shaheen and Harris often. The depth behind the top performers can be tested in moments of crisis. If their key players fail, they struggle.

The key players to watch for America are Monank Patel who is the captain and the main batting stabilizer. He anchors the innings. Saurabh Netrawalkar is their main pace bowler with economy control. He bowls a tight line. Harmeet Singh is a medium-pace threat who is capable of taking important wickets. He takes wickets when needed.

Toss Prediction

Chasing in the lights has often been advantageous due to fog and clear target visibility in Colombo, so teams winning the toss may choose to bowl first. The fog makes the ball bounce. Batting becomes easier. Bowling becomes harder. Chasing becomes safer.

Cricbites Match Prediction

Cricbites Prediction: Pakistan are likely to win, but USA have enough firepower to create pressure and challenge the Men in Green if they execute their plans well.

Final Thoughts

This Group A match will pit the cricket powerhouses against a rising team. Pakistan’s balance and experience make them favourites. They should win this match. But USA’s fearless approach could make this encounter unpredictable and exciting. They will attack. They will not give Pakistan wickets easily. Expect important battles in the powerplay and middle overs, as both teams will be striving for important points in the early stages of the World Cup. Pakistan should bat well and bowl disciplined. USA should take advantage of any mistakes Pakistan makes. If USA starts well, the match will be competitive.

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Disclaimer

This preview and prediction is based on current teams, statistics and pitch expectations. Cricket is inherently unpredictable and matchday factors such as the toss, weather and individual performances can have a significant impact on the outcome.