T20 World Cup 2026: 'India are so far ahead of Pakistan' - Former KKR star's blunt take after marquee clash becomes one-sided affair in Colombo

Former England and Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Moeen Ali said that he felt the T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan would be a tight affair as the spin-friendly conditions in Colombo would have given the Men in Green an edge. However, on Sunday, February 15, it was one-way traffic at the R. Premadasa Stadium as Suryakumar Yadav's men won comprehensively by 61 runs.

Ali opined that India are way ahead as a team when compared to Pakistan, adding that the Men in Blue handled the pressure much better than their arch-rivals.

"I thought this game would have been the closest in a long time. Pakistan had good spinners. Playing in Sri Lanka would have suited them. But India are so far ahead. It is like chalk and cheese, you can't even compare at the moment. I think they just handled the whole occasion so much better. They are used to big crowds, big games, they just handled the pressure so much more easier," Moeen Ali said on the 'Beard Before Wicket' podcast.

Ali explained that the Indian batters maintain brilliant technique even when they are hitting the big shots. However, their Pakistani counterparts lose the plot when trying to up the ante.

"The technique between both teams in batting is chalk and cheese. There is a big difference. Indian batters' technique, and I have said this from the start, is unbelievable. They have the best technique. They are simple. They just play good shots, even when they are smacking it. You look at the way the Pakistan players were playing, across the line, even head positions and all those things. There is a massive difference," he explained.

Pakistan had more in their favor: Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali said that Pakistan had an advantage in many areas in their clash against India. The defending champions had to travel to Sri Lanka, while Pakistan played their previous games in the tournament at the same venue. He urged coach Mike Hesson to discuss with captain Salman Ali Agha and field a better playing XI.

"Pakistan had more in their favor. India had to fly to Sri Lanka. They had to prepare on different wickets but no complaining, nothing. Pakistan have to learn from this. I think they are not playing the right team. They can change it up a bit. I think the coach has to take more responsibility. You have to get the best out of the players. You have to get the selection right with the captain. The gap can't be that big, especially on that wicket," he said.

Ali reiterated how well India absorbed the pressure and remained calm in one of the marquee clashes in the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup.

"India also see it as a massive game. But they know how to control it. They control themselves, control their emotions. They have been there, done it many times. They don't go through the emotions anymore or don't get too overly aroused. They are calm and back themselves. When I watched India play, I felt they were much calmer and under control," he expressed.