India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted on Saturday that no matter how much his team tried to prepare for Sunday’s T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan as “just another game”, it would be much more than that.

“It’s a big platform, obviously,” Suryakumar told reporters in Colombo, venue for Sunday’s massive Group A showdown.

“No matter how much you say that it’s just another game, it is a big game.”

The biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket has sold out the 35,000-capacity R Premadasa stadium with hundreds of millions more expected to watch on television.

The game was only confirmed as going ahead late on Monday night after the government reversed its decision to boycott the blockbuster Group A game.

“We don’t play them often, don’t even play them regularly,” said the Indian skipper.

“But at the end of the day, we try to keep things simple and try to execute our best game.

“There is pressure, but there is a big opportunity,” said Suryakumar.

“According to me, when you play an India-Pakistan game, it’s more about the occasion.”

The Indian captain would not say whether his players would shake hands after snubbing the Pakistan team in three Asia Cup meetings in Dubai last year.

“I will break the suspense tomorrow,” he said. “Wait for 24 hours, let us play the game which is more important.”

India achieved a hard-fought 29-run win against the United States in the first match of their title defence in Mumbai a week ago, before crushing Namibia by 93 runs in Delhi on Thursday.

But Suryakuma played down the hype around Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq and his unique sling-arm bowling action that has an exaggerated pause in the delivery stride.

“We have practised with similar types of bowlers and similar actions, so we will try to execute what we are practising in the night sessions,” said Suryakumar.

Suryakumar said dashing opener Abhishek Sharma has recovered well from a stomach bug and was likely to play.

Both Pakistan and India have won their opening two Group A matches and the winners will qualify for the Super Eight Stage.

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England beat Scotland by five wickets in the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday to move up to second in Group C behind the West Indies, thanks to Tom Banton’s unbeaten half-century at Eden Gardens.

Chasing 153 for victory, Banton’s 63 off 41 deliveries guided England over the line after Scotland made early inroads into their top order.

“It’s T20 cricket, it’s a high-risk game and you’ve got to keep backing yourself,” said Banton, who picked up the player of the match award after falling early against Nepal and the West Indies.

“At times it goes against you and it’s hard, you’ve got to keep coming back, keep trying hard, keep practising. Luckily, today was my day,” he said.

England won the toss and elected to field, with pacer Jofra Archer picking up two wickets in his second over to dismiss George Munsey and Brandon McMullen while Michael Jones fell in the powerplay for a quickfire 33.

Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce (24) steadied the ship with a 71-run stand, a measured counter-offensive that targeted the spinners and increased the run rate to nine per over.

Both fell in quick succession, however, with Berrington out one run short of what would have been a hard-earned fifty when he was trapped lbw by Adil Rashid (3-36).

From a relatively comfortable 113-3, Scotland stumbled into disarray as the duo’s wickets triggered another collapse but Oliver Davidson offered a final flicker of resistance with an unbeaten 20 that took Scotland to 152 all out.

“I thought we fought back really well after losing those early wickets,” Berrington said.

“Myself and Brucey probably just needed one of us to go on a little bit longer into that innings so we could get that extra 20-30 runs.”

Bad Start For England

England’s chase got off to a poor start when the explosive Phil Salt fell to the third ball of the innings and fellow opener Jos Buttler was dismissed in the second over.

Banton and Jacob Bethell (32) shared a 66-run stand but Scotland struck twice again when Bethell and captain Harry Brook (four) attempted to play the sweep shot and were caught.

That brought Sam Curran to the crease and he eased the pressure with a knock of 28 before he fell skying a Brad Wheal delivery to wicketkeeper Matthew Cross.

But Will Jacks (16 not out) finished the chase in the penultimate over with the game’s biggest six and a four.

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Pakistan’s cricketing community on Saturday expressed concern over the health of PTI founder Imran Khan, who captained the Green Shirts to World Cup glory in 1992.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court (SC) was informed that the right eye of Imran — who is incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail — had only 15 per cent vision remaining, prompting a strong response from the party and the opposition.

However, Pakistan’s cricketing community has also voiced concern about the health of the former captain and called on authorities to ensure he received the best possible care.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram — who was part of the 1992 squad which won the World Cup — said it was “heartbreaking” to learn that Imran was facing health issues.

“It is heartbreaking to hear our skipper Imran Khan going through health issues. I sincerely hope the authorities take this seriously and ensure he receives the best possible medical care,” he wrote.

He also extended his prayers and good wishes for Imran’s recovery, wishing him strength, a speedy recovery and a full return to good health.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi also voiced concern, reposting an interview of his originally posted on X by journalist Anas Malik.

In the video, Afridi said that medical treatment was Imran’s basic right and should be duly provided. He stressed that appropriate medical care must be ensured without delay.

Pace great Waqar Younis also expressed concern over Imran’s health.

“Putting politics aside, our national hero who gave us our greatest glory on the sporting field, built a cancer hospital that helped so many including my own mother, is suffering a health emergency and requires urgent treatment,” he said.

Younis further requested the relevant authorities to ensure that Imran received appropriate medical treatment in a timely manner.

“I humbly request the related authorities [that] he gets the appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Get well soon, skipper. Wishing him a complete and speedy recovery,” he added.

Former captain and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said: “Disturbing news about [the] health of [the] undisputed legend of the game. May Allah bless him with a full recovery.”

Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news about Imran losing vision in his eye.

In a post on X, Akhtar noted that he had spent the last three months in the United States raising funds for Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre.

“I hope he gets the best treatment and I’m wishing him a speedy recovery,” he said.

Former Pakistan captain and commentator Ramiz Raja said, “Seeing Imran Khan suffer and lose sight in one eye is an emotional meltdown. I hope humanity prevails and suffering is reduced.”

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