COLOMBO, Feb 16: In a high voltage India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash, India delivered a commanding all round performance to secure a 61-run victory and book their place in the Super Eight stage on Sunday.
After being put in to bat on a sluggish R. Premadasa surface, India posted a competitive 175 for seven, thanks largely to Ishan Kishan’s scintillating 77 off 40 deliveries. The left-hander mixed brute force with exquisite timing, producing one of the finest knocks under demanding conditions.
Kishan anchored an 87-run partnership for the second wicket with Tilak Varma, ensuring stability after an early setback. While Tilak played a supporting role, Kishan dominated the Pakistan attack, targeting both pace and spin with audacious strokeplay. His 27 ball half century included fearless pulls, deft late cuts and calculated lofted hits, turning the momentum decisively in India’s favour.
Pakistan’s chase of 176 never gathered pace. Hardik Pandya struck in the opening over, removing Sahibzada Farhan with a sharp rising delivery. Jasprit Bumrah then took control, producing a devastating spell that broke the backbone of the top order. Saim Ayub fell to a searing inswinging yorker, while Salman Ali Agha miscued a short of length delivery to mid wicket.
Reeling at 13 for three, Pakistan’s situation worsened when Babar Azam’s attempted slog sweep ended with his stumps disturbed by Axar Patel. The Powerplay yielded just 38 for four, leaving the chase in tatters.
India’s spin quartet tightened the screws in the middle overs. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakravarthy maintained relentless pressure, denying boundaries and forcing errors. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 114, turning the much-anticipated contest into a one sided affair.
With this emphatic win, India extended their dominance in T20 World Cup meetings between the two sides to 8-1, underlining their superiority on the global stage.