Pakistan top the list of most spinners used in a T20 World Cup innings

Pakistan achieved a first in their T20 World Cup game against India by using as many as six spinners. No team had previously used more than five spinners in a T20 World Cup game. 

Six spinners to bowl 18 overs

However, Pakistan effectively put all their eggs in the spin basket by getting six spinners - Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq, to bowl a combined 18 overs in the match.

Pakistan lean on spin

This is not the first time the team has relied on the spinners to shoulder the bulk of the workload. Against USA during the ongoing T20 World Cup, Pakistan bowled 16 overs using five spinners. 

Interestingly, at the same venue, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, during the 2012 edition, Pakistan bowled 18 spin overs against Australia using five bowlers.

Shaheen Afridi was the only pacer used during the same as he bowled the second and the last over.

Most spin overs bowled in a T20 World Cup game

• Pakistan vs India, Colombo (Premadasa) (2026) – 18 overs – 6 spinners
• India vs South Africa, Nottingham (2009) – 14 overs – 5 spinners
• Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Gros Islet (2010) – 12 overs – 5 spinners
• India vs Australia, Colombo (Premadasa) (2012) – 9.5 overs – 5 spinners
• Pakistan vs Australia, Colombo (Premadasa) (2012) – 18 overs – 5 spinners
• Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Sharjah (2021) – 12.5 overs – 5 spinners
• Pakistan vs USA, Colombo (SSC) (2026) – 16 overs – 5 spinners

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