A knockout half-century from Ishan Kishan followed by a collective bowling masterclass helped India secure a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup at Colombo on Sunday.
Riding on Kishan’s explosive 77 off 40 balls, India posted a formidable 175/7. In reply, Pakistan were bundled out for 114 in 18 overs as the Indian bowlers struck at regular intervals.
With the win, India remain unbeaten in Group A with three victories in three matches. Pakistan slipped to third place with two wins and a loss, while USA occupy the second spot.
Pakistan’s Nightmare Chase
Chasing 176, Pakistan endured a disastrous start. Sahibzada Farhan fell for a four-ball duck to Hardik Pandya, while Jasprit Bumrah removed Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Ali Agha in quick succession. Pakistan were reeling at 13/3 inside two overs.
Babar Azam struggled for fluency and was dismissed for just five, as Axar Patel tightened the screws. At 34/4, Pakistan were already under immense pressure.
Usman Khan attempted a counter-attack, smashing boundaries to keep hopes alive. Pakistan reached 71/4 at the halfway mark. However, Axar broke the crucial stand when Kishan effected a sharp stumping to dismiss Usman for a fighting 44 off 34 balls.
From there, wickets tumbled in clusters. Mohammed Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf departed cheaply. Varun Chakravarthy and Hardik Pandya chipped in with key breakthroughs, while Abrar Ahmed fell for a golden duck.
Hardik sealed the victory as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
Axar Patel (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers. Hardik Pandya (2/16), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) also claimed two wickets each in a disciplined bowling display.
Kishan Sets the Platform
Earlier, India endured a shaky start after Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the opening over.
Kishan then took charge, launching a counter-attack against Pakistan’s pace and spin. He hammered Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed, reaching his half-century in just 27 balls — one of the fastest fifties in India-Pakistan T20 contests.
He stitched an 87-run stand with Tilak Varma before falling for a scintillating 77, which included 10 fours and three sixes.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a steady 32, while late runs helped India finish strongly at 175/7 — the highest team total in an India-Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup clash.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub was the standout bowler with 3/25.
Brief Scores
India: 175/7 (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32; Saim Ayub 3/25)
Pakistan: 114 all out in 18 overs (Usman Khan 44; Axar Patel 2/29)
