India delivered a commanding performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, securing a comprehensive 61-run victory in Colombo, driven by Ishan Kishan’s explosive half-century and a disciplined all-round bowling effort.
In one of cricket’s most intense rivalries, Kishan rose to the occasion with a match-defining knock of 77 off just 40 balls, earning Player of the Match honours and guiding India to a competitive total of 175/7 on a challenging surface. His innings, which included 10 fours and three sixes, provided the backbone of India’s batting effort after an early setback.
Reflecting on the conditions and the high-pressure encounter, Kishan said patience and backing his strengths were key. “The wicket was not that easy. Sometimes, you have to believe and focus on your strengths. I was watching the ball, sticking to my strengths and running as much as possible,” he said.
“India-Pakistan is always a special game, not just for us but for our country as well. Winning this against Pakistan will give us confidence going forward.”
India’s innings got off to a shaky start when Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck in the opening over. However, Kishan steadied the innings with Tilak Varma, building a crucial 87-run partnership that shifted momentum in India’s favour. Kishan brought up his half-century in just 27 deliveries, showcasing controlled aggression and intelligent placement on a large ground.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a valuable 32, while Shivam Dube added 27 late in the innings to push India to a formidable total. Pakistan’s Saim Ayub was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, but India’s batting depth ensured a strong finish.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav praised Kishan’s match-winning performance and the team’s overall effort.
“The way Ishan batted, he took responsibility when we needed it most. The score we had was probably 15-20 runs above par, and that made a big difference,” he said.
In response, Pakistan’s chase collapsed under sustained pressure from India’s bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya struck early, reducing Pakistan to 13/3 within the first two overs. Bumrah dismissed key players, including captain Salman Agha, while Hardik removed Sahibzada Farhan to set the tone.
Pakistan briefly showed resistance through Usman Khan, who scored a fighting 44, but India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya each claimed two wickets, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup and bowling them out for 114 in 18 overs.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha admitted his team struggled to execute their plans. “Our spinners had an off day. Execution was missing in some parts, and we lost too many wickets in the powerplay,” he said, adding that Pakistan would focus on bouncing back in the upcoming matches.
India stays on top with three wins in three matches in Group A, while Pakistan has sunk to number three with two wins and a loss, and the USA currently occupies second place with two wins and two losses.
During the run-chase, Pakistan was off to a nightmarish start as Sahibzada Farhan fell for a four-ball duck to Hardik Pandya, with Rinku Singh getting a top-edge, removing him for a four-ball duck.
In the next over, Jasprit Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub lbw for just six, while he also removed skipper Salman Ali Agha for four. Pakistan was 13/3 in two overs.
Babar Azam started his innings slowly, while Usman Khan counter-attacked with two successive boundaries against Axar Patel in the fifth over. But the spin all-rounder had the last laugh, removing Babar for a seven-ball five, sinking Pakistan to 34/4.
Usman continued to relish Axar’s bowling, getting four boundaries off him, while Shadaba Khan also got some boundaries. Pakistan raced to the 50-run mark in 7.1 overs.
At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan was 71/4, with Usman (43*) and Shadab (12*) unbeaten. The partnership of 39 balls was broken by Axar as Ishan Kishan pulled off a brilliant stumping to remove Usman for 34-ball 44, with six fours and a six. Pakistan was five down at 73 in 10.4 overs.
Mohammed Nawaz (4) was caught by Shivam Dube, with Kuldeep getting the sixth wicket and Pakistan’s score was just 78 in 11.4 overs.
Pakistan’s downfall got even worse as Shadab (14) got dismissed by Tilak Varma, with Dube plucking another catch. Pakistan was 78/7 in 12.1 overs.
Rinku’s safe pair of hands gave Varun Chakravarthy his first wicket, removing Faheem Ashraf for a sluggish 14-ball 10. Pakistan sunk to 97/8 in 15.3 overs and on very next ball, Abrar Ahmed was trapped lbw for a golden duck. Pakistan was one wicket away from a humiliating loss.
However, Pakistan did get one moral win as they crossed the 100-run mark in 16.1 overs.
Hardik completed the win by cleaning up Usman, bundling out Pakistan for 114 runs in 18 overs.
Axar Patel (2/29 in four overs) was the pick of the bowlers for India, with Hardik Pandya (2/16 in three overs), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17 in two overs) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17 in three overs) also being amongst the wickets.
Earlier, Ishan Kishan’s blistering 77 helped India to post a challenging target of 176 runs against Pakistan in the Group A match. The Men in Blue, who posted 175/7, also scored the highest team total in the India-Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup match.
After being asked to bat first, India were off to the worst possible start, Pakistan captain Salman Agha removing the world number one T20I batter Abhishek Sharma for a four-ball duck on the last ball of the first over, leaving India at 0/1 after first over.
In the next over, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma combined to hammer speedster Shaheen Afridi for 15 runs. After the end of the third over, the Men in Blue scored 25/1.
During the fifth over, Kishan then hammered 10 runs against spinner Abrar Ahmed, with a four and six each, as India made 41/1. At the end of the first power play, India was 52/1.
In the very next over, Kishan slammed three consecutive boundaries to Abrar. The wicketkeeper-batter also completed his half-century in 27 deliveries. Kishan also registered the third fastest in the India-Pakistan T20I match. Ahead of him were Abhishek Sharma (24) and Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez (23).
During the fourth ball of the ninth over, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub got the much-needed breakthrough for his side. Ayub dismissed dangerous Kishan for 77 off 40 deliveries, including 10 fours and three sixes. Ayub also broke the 87-run stand between Kishan and Tilak for the second wicket. India was 88/2 in 8.4 overs.
Kishan’s 77 was also the third-highest individual score in India-Pakistan T20I matches. Ahead of Kishan are Virat Kohli (78*), Mohammad Rizwan (79*), and Kohli (82*). At the end of the 10th over, India was in a good position at 92/2.
After Kishan’s wicket, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak steadied India’s ship as they touched the 100-run mark in 11.1 overs and they reached 125/2 in 14 overs.
However, Pakistan made a comeback during the 15th over, wherein Ayub removed Varma for 25 off 24 balls, with two fours and one six. India was 126/3 in 14.2 overs.
On the very next delivery, the off-spinner dismissed Hardik Pandya for the golden duck after the right-handed batter attempted a big shot. India slumped to 126/4. After the end of the 17th over, India reached 140/4.
During the 18th over, Abrar conceded 14 runs as India took their total to 154/4. During the fifth ball of the 19th over, Usman Tariq dismissed captain Suryakumar for 32 runs off 29 deliveries, including three fours. India was 159/5 in 18.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi, who bowled the 20th over of India’s innings, conceded 16 runs as India posted a challenging total of 175/7 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub took a three-wicket haul (3/25). Usman Tariq (1/24), Shaheen Afridi (1/31), and captain Salman Agha (1/10) were also among the wicket-takers.
India’s victory strengthens their position at the top of Group A with three wins in three matches, boosting their chances of progressing comfortably to the Super Eight stage. The dominant performance not only underlined India’s strength in both batting and bowling but also sent a strong message to other title contenders.
With Kishan in outstanding form and India’s bowling attack firing collectively, the team has gained significant momentum as they continue their campaign in pursuit of another T20 World Cup title.
Brief Scores: India: 175/7 (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32, Saim Ayub 3/25) against Pakistan: 114 (Usman Khan 44, Shaheen Afridi 23*, Axar Patel 2/29).
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