The much-anticipated Group A clash between the Pakistan national cricket team and the India national cricket team at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 created history in terms of global reach and viewership. The match was played on 15 February at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, after the Pakistani government reversed its earlier decision to boycott the fixture.
The reversal intensified anticipation, and the contest lived up to expectations, shattering several digital and broadcast records worldwide.
Record-Breaking Digital Reach Across Platforms
According to the tournament’s official broadcast and digital partner JioStar, the match achieved a staggering 163 million digital reach. This marked the highest reach ever recorded for any match in an ICC T20 event.
The figure surpassed the viewership numbers of the T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa held in Barbados. The scale of engagement highlights the unmatched global appeal of India–Pakistan cricket encounters, which continue to draw massive attention regardless of tournament stage.
Massive Growth Compared to Previous Editions
India’s 61-run victory not only dominated the scoreboard but also drove significant audience growth. The digital reach for this encounter rose by 56 percent compared to the India–Pakistan match in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Mobile viewership was particularly strong, setting a new record for any league-stage match in an ICC T20 tournament. Reports suggest that mobile reach was 1.2 times higher than the last meeting between the two teams in 2024, showing how streaming platforms are reshaping sports consumption habits.
Surge in TV and Streaming Viewership
The match attracted an enormous audience through streaming services, especially via the popular platform Hotstar, while connected TV viewership also soared. Compared to the 2024 edition, connected TV numbers were reported to be 2.4 times higher, reflecting the growing shift toward smart-TV based sports viewing.
This multi-platform surge indicates that fans are increasingly consuming cricket across devices, making marquee clashes even more accessible and engaging.
Extraordinary Watch Time Reflects Global Interest
Beyond reach and viewer counts, the match also generated an impressive 20 billion minutes of watch time. This resulted in a 42 percent increase in total viewership compared to the previous edition’s India–Pakistan clash.
Such massive engagement highlights the emotional and sporting significance of this rivalry, which consistently delivers high-stakes drama and global attention.
A Milestone Moment for the Tournament
Anup Govindan, Sales Head for Sports at JioStar, noted that the buildup to the match and the intensity on the field combined all the ingredients of a blockbuster contest. The record-breaking reach and viewership, he said, demonstrate how deeply fans around the world are connected to the tournament across multiple platforms.
He added that the overwhelming response to this match sets the tone for a thrilling ICC T20 World Cup 2026, underlining cricket’s ability to unite global audiences and deliver unforgettable sporting moments.
