In a clinical display of high-octane cricket at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, 2026, India decimated Pakistan by 61 runs to officially secure their place in the Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026. The victory was anchored by a ferocious counter-attack from Ishan Kishan, who transformed a shaky start into a match-winning platform with his second consecutive fifty of the tournament.

India’s bowling unit, led by a menacing opening spell from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, then dismantled the Pakistan chase, leaving it in total ruins within the Powerplay. With a perfect record of three wins from three games, the Men in Blue have become the first team from Group A to qualify for the next round. This dominant performance not only reaffirms India’s title credentials but also marks one of their most comprehensive World Cup victories over their arch-rivals.

T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan’s blazing 77 powers India to 175 in Colombo 

Following a tense ‘no-handshake’ toss where Pakistan elected to bowl, India suffered an immediate setback when Abhishek Sharma fell for a four-ball duck to Salman Ali Agha‘s off-spin. However, Kishan refused to let the pressure mount, launching a breathtaking assault that saw him smash 10 fours and 3 sixes across the park. By reaching his half-century in just 27 balls, Kishan officially joined an elite bracket of Indian batters to score a 50+ against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, maintaining a strike rate of 192.50.

His aggressive 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma stabilized the innings and propelled India to a record-breaking 175/7, the highest team total ever recorded in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. Despite a middle-order wobble caused by Saim Ayub’s triple strike, which included dismissing Hardik for a golden duck, late cameos from Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dube (27) ensured India posted a total that felt well above par on the tacky, slow Colombo surface.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan joins Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s elite list after explosive 77 vs Pakistan

The Hardik Pandya-Jasprit Bumrah blitz: Pakistan’s chase crumbles for 114

Defending a target of 176, India’s Hardik set the tone with an extraordinary opening over that essentially decided the match before it truly began. Handed the new ball in a tactical masterstroke by Suryakumar, Pandya delivered a perfect wicket-maiden, inducing a mistimed pull from Sahibzada Farhan who departed for a four-ball duck.

The nightmare only deepened for Pakistan in the second over when Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub with a searing yorker and removed captain Salman Agha two balls later, leaving the chase in tatters at 13/3. Axar Patel soon cleaned up Babar Azam for just 5, and while Usman Khan offered brief resistance with a 44-run knock, the ‘Spin Twins’ Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy triggered a final collapse. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs, handing India a massive 61-run victory and their most dominant bowling display of the 2026 campaign so far.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Padosiyo…..

Sunday kesa raha?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 15, 2026

India seem to intimidate Pakistan on the cricket field .. they are so much better in all facets of the game & such a better mentality of coping with the huge occasion .. #INDvsPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 15, 2026

Incredible striking by pocket rocket @ishankishan51 👏 175 is a really good total on a tricky pitch. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/bijD4Oln8f

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026

Team India 🇮🇳 well done . India vs Pakistan is only hype no contest. Fan made rivalry but one way traffic on the field ….. Again . JAI HIND

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 15, 2026

I’ve said it before, but it is worth repeating. Pakistan’s cricket administration puts far too much pressure on their players. You could see that in how tentative they were.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2026

India is an exceptional team, best in the world. You need to have a near flawless game to beat them. Pakistan made too many errors, too many false shots, too many poor deliveries. You’re never going to get close with a performance like that. Introspection required. #T20WorldCup

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) February 15, 2026

A 61 run defeat on a pitch that was Pakistan’s best chance tells you the current gulf betwen them and India.

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 15, 2026

Pak fans after suffering yet another embarrassing defeat to India 😅 #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tlzqm0n2NE

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026

Ishan Kishan, a doff of the hat, good sir! You are a master of the craft. That innings will stay with me for a long time. Right up there with Rohit against Oz in the last World Cup. Perhaps better.

— Nikhil Mehra (@TweetinderKaul) February 15, 2026

India takes 8-1 lead over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history 🔥#cricket #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XeLqwtd45d

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 15, 2026

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Defending champions India sent a strong message to the cricketing world with a 61-run demolition of Pakistan in their high-stakes Group A clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, securing their spot in the Super Eights. “I think this is for India,” said captain Suryakumar Yadav after India’s big win.

“We played the same brand of cricket we wanted to play. Batting first was the better option on this wicket. Ishan thought something out of the box. After 0/1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing.”The defining moment came at the top as Ishan Kishan unleashed a breathtaking 77 off 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes, to put India firmly in control. Tilak Varma (25) and Suryakumar Yadav (32) added crucial support, ensuring India reached 175/7 despite a challenging surface. Shivam Dube’s quickfire 27 in the death overs pushed the total to a competitive 176.Pakistan’s reply never gained momentum. Hardik Pandya struck in the first over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a four-ball duck. Jasprit Bumrah then tore through the top order, sending Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha back to the pavilion inside two overs. Usman Khan offered resistance with a fluent 44, stitching minor partnerships with Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, but his stumping to Axar Patel ended any faint hopes of a comeback.The Indian bowlers were ruthless in unison. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Mohammad Nawaz, Tilak Varma removed Shadab Khan, and Varun Chakaravarthy added two late wickets. Pandya, after seeing a couple of catches go down off his bowling, ensured the finale by knocking back Usman Tariq’s middle stump. Pakistan’s innings folded for 114 in just 18 overs, their third-lowest T20 World Cup total.“It was great to see everyone contributing with the ball,” Surya said. “We’ll go back, have a good time together as a team and then think about the other games when we take the flight to Ahmedabad,” he said.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr Priscilla Chan, are reportedly purchasing a waterfront mansion on Indian Creek Island near Miami. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, this will position the couple as neighbours to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on the exclusive 300-acre island. Indian Creek Island is an artificial island with 41 lots and approximately 84 residents, with home prices starting at about $60 million. This is reportedly one of the most sought-after sections of one of America’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.Indian Creek Island operates as an independent municipality with its own government and a private police force that patrols by air, water, and land. Access to the island is controlled by a single gated bridge, making safety and privacy key features. The island’s interior comprises an 18-hole golf course and the Indian Creek Country Club, with a limited number of members, owing in part to a challenging admissions process and a $500,000 initiation fee.

What we know about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s newly purchased luxury property

Zuckerberg’s reported property is located on the western side of the island, where Bezos also owns two lots. This area features larger lots of about 80,000 square feet compared to 50,000 square feet on the east side, with better access to Biscayne Bay’s open water and expansive sunset views. However, the report didn’t specify whether Zuckerberg’s deal has closed yet. Miami-Dade County property records note the owner as a land trust. One of Zuckerberg’s neighbours, Irma Braman, wife of billionaire car dealer Norman Braman, told WSJ that Zuckerberg revealed his plan to move into the property by April 2025.In a statement to Fortune, Mick Duchon, a Miami Beach real estate agent of the Corcoran Group, said that Zuckerberg’s recently completed luxury property at 2 Indian Creek Island Road is valued between $150 million and $200 million. The purchase would add to his portfolio of luxury homes. “That side of the island is perceived to be the most appealing,” Duchon said. Vacant lots on the island have sold for as much as $105 million in 2025, the report added.Zuckerberg is among the recent billionaires to acquire a Florida property, especially as a proposed ballot initiative in California gains momentum that would impose a one-time 5% “billionaires tax” on any individual worth at least $1 billion, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. However, Zuckerberg still calls California home, having just invested $50 million through Meta in a downtown revitalisation and AI-focused project in Sacramento. Google cofounder Larry Page also recently acquired a $173 million compound in Miami, comprising two waterfront lots in the city’s Coconut Grove neighbourhood.Indian Creek Island, in particular, is home to several prominent names, including Bezos, the financier Carl Icahn, and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Zuckerberg’s reported new property is another addition to the tech CEO’s growing portfolio of luxury homes across the US.Bezos has also been buying up properties on Indian Creek Island since he announced in 2023 that he was leaving Seattle for Florida. In 2023, the Amazon founder purchased a $68 million home that would end up just a few doors down from Zuckerberg’s. Near the end of that year, he paid another $79 million for a neighbouring property with the intention of combining the lots into a single compound, a trend Duchon said is increasingly common among wealthy buyers because of the scarcity of truly expansive waterfront properties in the area. Meanwhile, Bezos is living in a third Mediterranean-style property also on Indian Creek Island, on the east side, which he acquired for $87 million in 2024. Last year, Bezos sold one of his Seattle homes overlooking Lake Washington for $63 million, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported.

The combined market valuation of six of the top-10 most valued firms eroded by more than Rs 3 lakh crore last week, with IT majors Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys emerging as the biggest laggards amid a bearish trend in equities.The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 953.64 points, or 1.14 per cent, during the week.Besides TCS and Infosys, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), and Bharti Airtel faced erosion in their valuations. In contrast, State Bank of India (SBI), Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro and ICICI Bank were the gainers.

IT majors take the biggest hit

TCS saw its market valuation tumble by Rs 90,198.92 crore to Rs 9,74,043.43 crore, while Infosys’ valuation eroded by Rs 70,780.23 crore to Rs 5,55,287.72 crore.HDFC Bank’s market capitalisation declined by Rs 54,627.71 crore to Rs 13,93,621.92 crore. Reliance Industries’ valuation plunged Rs 41,883 crore to Rs 19,21,475.79 crore.LIC’s market capitalisation dropped Rs 23,971.74 crore to Rs 5,46,226.80 crore, while Bharti Airtel’s valuation declined Rs 19,244.61 crore to Rs 11,43,044.03 crore.On the other hand, SBI’s valuation jumped Rs 1,22,213.38 crore to Rs 11,06,566.44 crore.Bajaj Finance added Rs 26,414.44 crore, taking its market cap to Rs 6,37,244.64 crore, while Larsen & Toubro’s valuation increased Rs 14,483.9 crore to Rs 5,74,028.93 crore. ICICI Bank’s market capitalisation rose Rs 5,719.95 crore to Rs 10,11,978.77 crore.Reliance Industries remained the most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, SBI, ICICI Bank, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Infosys and LIC.

Broad-based selloff weighs on markets

The erosion in market capitalisation came amid a broader selloff in equities. On Friday, the Sensex tumbled 1,048.16 points, or 1.25 per cent, to close at 82,626.76, while the NSE Nifty plunged 336.10 points, or 1.30 per cent, to settle at 25,471.10.On a weekly basis, the Nifty declined 222.6 points, or 0.86 per cent.The market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms eroded by Rs 7,02,017.71 crore to Rs 4,65,46,643.20 crore ($5.13 trillion).Weak global cues, a softer earnings season and emerging pressure on technology stocks amid concerns over AI-led disruption dampened sentiment, traders said.Siddhartha Khemka, head of research, wealth management at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said the benchmarks nosedived following weaker-than-expected results and continued pressure in technology stocks.“The Nifty IT index touched a 10-month low during the session before closing 1.4 per cent lower, even as selective buying helped it recover from intraday lows. The sector continues to face headwinds amid rising concerns that rapid AI advancements could disrupt traditional service models and weigh on future revenue visibility,” he noted, as quoted by news agency PTI.Vinod Nair, head of research at Geojit Investments Limited, said sentiment gains from the US-India trade deal have faded as renewed AI-driven disruption fears weigh on risk appetite.“Markets worry that Indian IT firms dependent on the labour arbitrage model may face tougher competitive pressure than their Nasdaq peers,” he said, as per PTI.Sectorally, metal stocks led the decline, falling 3.21 per cent, followed by Realty and Commodities (2.27 per cent each), Utilities (2.26 per cent), Energy (1.94 per cent), Oil & Gas (1.86 per cent), Power (1.85 per cent), FMCG (1.74 per cent) and Services (1.72 per cent).Foreign institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 108.42 crore on Thursday, while domestic institutional investors were net buyers of Rs 276.85 crore, according to exchange data.Overall, last week’s sharp erosion in the valuations of IT heavyweights, coupled with broad-based selling pressure, weighed on the top-10 most valued firms even as select banking and financial stocks bucked the trend.

The Delhi government has launched an initiative to issue a ‘Bhu-Aadhaar’ card, according a unique 14-digit identification number to each land parcel in the city, in a move aimed at ending land boundary related disputes, chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.A new digital land map of Delhi will be prepared using drone survey and high-resolution imaging, she said, asserting that the Bhu-Aadhaar is a “revolutionary step” towards realising the prime minister’s vision of ‘Digital India‘.

The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), dubbed Bhu-Aadhaar, was launched as part of the Centre’s Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) in 2021.This step is part of the government’s push to modernise Delhi’s land records, freeing citizens from long-standing land disputes, the Delhi CMO said in a statement.The implementation of ULPIN has been entrusted to the IT branch of the revenue department, which will also be supported by the Survey of India.Approximately 2 TB (terabyte) of high-quality geospatial data and drone-based Ortho Rectified Images (ORI) are being obtained from the Survey of India for generating accurate ULPINs for all areas of Delhi, including 48 villages already covered under the SVAMITVA scheme, the statement said.Earlier, Rs 1.32 crore had been allocated for the project, with financial management overseen by the IT branch. The government will now expand the system across Delhi in a phased manner under a standard operating procedure with defined timelines, it said.A pilot project has already been completed in Tilangpur Kotla village in West Delhi district, where 274 ULPIN records have been successfully generated.The Bhu-Aadhaar system will ensure complete transparency in land ownership. The 14-digit code will be geo-referenced, thereby minimising disputes over land boundaries, the CMO said.It will facilitate coordination of land data among various government departments and effectively curb fraudulent transactions and multiple registrations, it said For citizens, the move is expected bring ease and convenience. Instead of navigating multiple documents to establish land ownership, a single number will provide comprehensive details of the property, the statement added.

VB-G RAM G, the scheme set to replace Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has received the highest share in this year’s Budget for the department of rural development, accounting for about 40 per cent of its total allocation, according to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research.The PRS analysis said VB-G RAM G has been allocated Rs 95,692 crore in the Budget, making up around 40 per cent of the Department of Rural Development’s total outlay.

Allocation pattern across key schemes

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) accounts for 23 per cent of the department’s Budget. This is followed by MGNREGS at 12 per cent, the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) at 8 per cent, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) at 8 per cent, and the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) at 4 per cent, as per news agency PTI.In 2026–27, VB-G RAM G (40 per cent) and PMAY-G (23 per cent) together account for 63 per cent of the ministry’s total gross expenditure, followed by MGNREGS (12 per cent), NRLM (8 per cent), PMGSY (8 per cent) and NSAP (4 per cent), the report said.The ministry of rural development has been allocated Rs 1,97,023 crore in 2026–27, which is 4 per cent higher than the revised estimates for 2025–26.Within this, the department of rural development has been allocated Rs 1,94,369 crore, 4 per cent higher than the revised estimates of 2025–26. The department of land resources has been allocated Rs 2,654 crore, marking a 51 per cent increase over last year’s revised estimates.

Sharp cut in MGNREGS allocation

The allocation for MGNREGS this year stands at Rs 30,000 crore, 66 per cent lower than the revised estimate of Rs 88,000 crore last year, as per PTI.In contrast, most other schemes have seen higher allocations. PMAY-G has been allocated Rs 54,917 crore, reflecting a 66 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year’s revised estimate. PMGSY has received Rs 19,000 crore, a 73 per cent rise compared to last year’s revised estimate.

Fund-sharing pattern and fiscal implications

The report noted that under MGNREGS, wage payments accounted for around 70 per cent of total expenditure over the last five years. Material costs made up about 26 per cent of expenditure, of which roughly 20 per cent was borne by the Centre. Overall, the Centre bore around 90 per cent of the total expenditure under the scheme.“With the change in fund sharing pattern under the VB-G RAM G Act, the expenditure by state governments on the scheme may increase,” the report said.Under the VB-G RAM G Act, which guarantees 125 days of work, the Centre and states will share expenditure in a 60:40 ratio. For northeastern and Himalayan states, the ratio will be 90:10, as per PTI.

Employment trends under MGNREGS

According to the analysis, over the past decade, employment under MGNREGS averaged around 48 days per household per year.Less than 10 per cent of participating households completed 100 days of work. In 2020–21, average days of employment rose to 52 days per household due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Employment generation moderated thereafter, recording 50 days per household in 2024–25, reported PTI.On average, seven crore households demanded work during 2017–25, of which six crore households, around 90 per cent, were able to avail employment.The report also highlighted that actual wages paid to workers have often been lower than the notified rates. In 2025–26 (as of December 2025), wages received by workers were below the notified wage rate in 20 out of 31 states and Union Territories.For instance, in Andhra Pradesh, workers received Rs 268 against a notified Rs 307. In Chhattisgarh, workers were paid Rs 245 compared to Rs 261, and in Gujarat, Rs 264 against Rs 288.In Karnataka, workers received Rs 342 compared to the notified Rs 370. The gap was wider in Rajasthan (Rs 221 versus Rs 281) and Tamil Nadu (Rs 268 versus Rs 336), while in Telangana workers received Rs 259 against a notified Rs 307.

PMAY-G progress and challenges

Under rural housing, PMAY-G has been allocated Rs 54,917 crore, a 69 per cent increase, according to the report.However, only around 70 per cent of the targeted houses across phases have been completed so far. Delays have been attributed to issues such as land availability, migration, Covid-related disruptions and beneficiary-level constraints, the report said.

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NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar extended greetings to the government and people of Serbia on their Statehood Day during his visit to Munich for the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Sunday.The external affairs minister had earlier met Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Marko Djuric on the sidelines of the conference on Saturday. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Greetings to FM @markodjuric, the government and people of Serbia on their Statehood Day. Appreciate our long-standing partnership.”

In an X post, the Serbian foreign ministry said, “Happy #StatehoodDay of #Serbia, #Sretenje! Today, we remember the historic moments that laid the foundations of our modern state and affirmed the ideals of freedom and constitutionalism. Proud of our tradition, we continue to build Serbia’s future on the principles of peace, stability, and unity!”According to an official press release issued by the Serbian foreign ministry, on the sidelines of the MSC, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric met with Jaishankar, with whom he discussed issues important to improving relations and global issues in a changing world.The talks reaffirmed that India and Serbia share a traditional friendship dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement era and are committed to further strengthening comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation, the press release said. Djuric expressed satisfaction over the upcoming participation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, highlighting the significance of high-level engagements in boosting ties. He also invited Jaishankar to visit Serbia in the near future.During the meeting, Djuric thanked India for its consistent stance on the non-recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence and briefed the Indian side on recent developments related to the EU-facilitated dialogue.The ministers agreed that there is scope to strengthen economic cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Djuric also invited India to participate in Expo 2027 in Belgrade, expressing hope that India would be among the countries showcasing its culture and innovation at the international exhibition, according to the press release. The interaction marked another step in ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Belgrade amid broader discussions at the Munich Security Conference.According to the MEA Brief, India and Serbia (as part of former Yugoslavia) have traditionally enjoyed deep friendship, as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement. The deep bond of friendship continued in subsequent decades, resulting in close and friendly ties between India and Serbia. In 2023, the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. India has given principled support to Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and has not recognised Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of Independence (UDI). India and Serbia share converging views on many global issues and support each other in international fora. To mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a jubilee stamp was issued jointly by the Serbian Foreign Ministry and Serbia Post in December 2023 as a token of friendship between the two countries. The image on the postal stamp is of the Victor monument in Belgrade and the Statue of Unity in India.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed his newly formed initiative, the “Board of Peace”, describing it as his self-designed effort to advance global peace negotiations. Boasting of his role as chairman, Trump said the body has “unlimited potential” and asserted that his vision for ending the conflict in Gaza was “unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council.” He also announced that member states have pledged more than $5 billion for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza.In a lengthy post on his platform Truth Social, Trump said the board had facilitated humanitarian aid “at record speed” and secured the release of all hostages, both living and deceased. He added that last month, “two dozen distinguished founding members joined me in Davos, Switzerland, to celebrate its official formation, and present a bold vision for the civilians in Gaza, and then, ultimately, far beyond Gaza — world peace!”

Trump also announced that he will be joined by board members at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on February 19 where he expects to declare that member states have pledged “more than $5 billion towards the Gaza humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.”He said thousands of personnel have committed to the International Stabilization Force and local police “to maintain security and peace for Gazans.” Emphasizing that “Hamas must uphold its commitment to full and immediate demilitarisation,” the US President described the Board of Peace as “the most consequential international body in history” and said “it is my honour to serve as its chairman.”According to Trump’s 20‑point plan, first announced in September and paving the way for the current ceasefire, the Board of Peace “will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza.”The plan, which was later endorsed by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2803 in November 2025, envisions a multinational International Stabilization Force being deployed once Hamas lays down its weapons and a transitional Palestinian governance committee overseen by the board takes over day‑to‑day administration of the enclave.More than 20 countries have reportedly joined the Board of Peace, and Donald Trump will serve as its chairman., the New York Times reported.According to AFP, while the US president has repeatedly characterised the initiative as a major milestone in his foreign policy agenda to restore long sought peace in the region, its creation and structure have drawn broad international scrutiny. Some Western allies had declined to join or expressed caution about its governance model.Critics note that Hamas has historically resisted disarmament, calling it a red line in negotiations even while signalling possible conditional cooperation with a future Palestinian authority.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, left, looks at India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo/)

There was no handshake after the match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup clash in Colombo, continuing the icy stand-off that began during the Asia Cup last September.“I will break the suspense tomorrow. Wait for 24 hours,” Suryakumar Yadav had said on the eve of the match. Twenty four hours later, the message was clear and unambiguous. There would be no handshakes.

The frost between the two sides remained evident not only at the toss but also after the game. Just as in their meetings during the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, the players did not exchange handshakes once the contest ended on Sunday.On the field, India produced a commanding performance. Opener Ishan Kishan’s supersonic 77 off 40 balls powered India to 175 for seven after being asked to bat first on a tacky surface. He shared an 87 run stand with Tilak Varma, whose contribution was 11, as Kishan dominated the Pakistan attack.The match began on an unusual note with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha bringing himself on for off spin in the first over and dismissing Abhishek Sharma, who holed out to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Saim Ayub, who finished with 3 for 25, and Agha kept the pressure on during the power play.Kishan, however, turned the tide. He pulled Afridi for a towering six and then dismantled the spinners. Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan were struck for boundaries and sixes as Kishan raced to a 27 ball fifty. He eventually fell trying to carve Ayub over mid wicket, missing the ball and losing his stumps.Pakistan clawed back through Ayub, who removed Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya off successive deliveries to leave India at 126 for four. Suryakumar Yadav made 32 off 28 balls, while Shivam Dube added 27 off 17. A 15 run final over from Afridi, in which Dube and Rinku Singh attacked, carried India to 175 for seven.In reply, India’s bowlers never allowed Pakistan to settle. Hardik Pandya struck in the opening over to dismiss Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah followed with a double strike, removing Saim Ayub and Salman Agha as Pakistan slumped to 13 for three.Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam and later dismissed Usman Khan, who top scored with 44 off 34 balls. A brief 39 run partnership between Usman and Shadab Khan offered resistance before another collapse set in.Varun Chakravarthy claimed two wickets in the 16th over, and Hardik returned to take the final wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in the 18th over. Hardik, Bumrah, Axar and Varun took two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma picked up one apiece.

The Center of Policy Research and Governance (CPRG), as part of its Future of Society initiative, will organise a series of main summit events and official dialogues during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled from February 16 to 20 across multiple venues in New Delhi. The sessions will focus on artificial intelligence’s implications for education, employability, data governance, and institutional transformation.On February 16, CPRG will host two sessions at Bharat Mandapam: Future of Employability in the Age of AI, organised with AI4India, and AI for Education: Future-Ready Universities and Schools. On February 17, the PadhAI Conclave 2.0: Reimagining the Indian Education System will take place at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre. February 18 will see Data for Development: Building AI in the Global South at Bharat Mandapam, and the final session, Reimagining Education in the Age of AI, will be held on February 20 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan.

Ahead of the summit, Dr Ramanand, Director of CPRG, said, “This Summit comes at an important juncture. The discussion around AI is no longer confined to panels and reports. It is already reflected in the way institutions are functioning,” adding “The task now is to examine how these steps are being shaped and what frameworks will guide them going forward. Through our engagements during the Summit week, CPRG will place these questions at the centre of discussion.” Participants include senior ministers, policymakers, international experts, and industry leaders. Among them are Shri Jitin Prasada, minister of State for commerce & industry and electronics & IT, Shri Ashish Sood, minister of education, Delhi, Shri Nishikant Dubey, Member of Parliament, Ms Anne Neuberger, former US deputy national security advisor; Mr Johan Harvard, Tony Blair Institute; and Dr R. Balasubramaniam, Capacity Building Commission.Industry representatives include Shri Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder of Info Edge, and Shri Gokul Subramaniam, Intel India President.