AdvertisementBut match 27 of the 10th edition of the World Cup of the short form of cricket was unlike any of the previous 26. It was the biggest game in world cricket but there was a slightly unreal and artificial feel about India’s demolition of Pakistan on the neutral soil of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday. “This no shaking hands is such a silly thing that India has started,” said former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar on X. Things went further when India’s players refused to accept the trophy because it was being presented by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan won that toss on Sunday but India piled up 175-7 with Ishan Kishan smashing 77 off 40 balls off Pakistan’s array of spinners.

Source: International New York Times February 16, 2026 12:47 UTC