India have beaten Pakistan comprehensively in their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Group A fixture.
It was a fixture preceded by significant controversy, with Pakistan initially boycotting the match before eventually agreeing to play, a decision they may now be regretting.
The conditions in Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium were spin-friendly, something that they had attempted greatly to take advantage of, and even did to a good extent, but the onslaught from Ishan Kishan, and then the counter attack from Indian bowlers spoiled all their plans, as the Men in Blue registered a 61-run victory.
Ishan Kishan Powers India To A Solid Score
India found themselves in a spot of bother at the end of the first over, as they stood 1-1.
Abhishek Sharma, someone on whom they have greatly relied for majority of their run-scoring had gone for a duck. Things could have gone from bad to worse, but Ishan Kishan took the innings in his stride.
He took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers, striking 77 off just 40 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes on a relatively slow pitch.
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma then had a decent partnership, but back-to-back wickets rocked India in the middle overs.
The finish, however, was important, and that’s where Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh delivered, taking the Men in Blue to 175 runs, the biggest total in IND vs PAK T20 World Cup history.
Pakistan Falter From The Get-Go
Pakistan had a rather tough task at their hands in this pressure match, and their chase never got off on the right foot.
Hardik Pandya delivered a wicket-maiden to start the innings, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. The following over by Jasprit Bumrah brought two wickets – Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha, the captain.
Usman Khan, who walked in next, fought back well, striking boundaries regularly. Even when India introduced spin, he was going strong, until Axar Patel caught him well outside of the crease to be stumped by Ishan Kishan. When he was gone, the match was all but done.
There was batting to follow, but no one found their footing. Wickets tumbled, and Pakistan were ultimately dismissed on 114.
With this win, India have also qualified to the T20 World Cup Super 8s stage.
