Sports, Feb 16: In another high-voltage chapter of cricket’s fiercest rivalry, India national cricket team delivered a commanding performance to defeat the Pakistan national cricket team by 61 runs in their ICC T20 World Cup Group A clash in Colombo on February 15.
Powered by a blistering 77 from Ishan Kishan and a ruthless collective bowling effort, India posted 175/7 before bowling Pakistan out for 114 in 18 overs. The total marked the highest team score ever recorded in an India–Pakistan encounter at an ICC T20 World Cup.
With three wins from three matches, India sit comfortably atop Group A. Pakistan, meanwhile, slipped to third place with two wins from three games, while the USA hold second position.
Kishan’s Blitz Sets the Tone
India’s innings began with an early setback as Abhishek Sharma fell for a four-ball duck to Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. However, Kishan quickly shifted the momentum.
Teaming up with Tilak Varma, Kishan launched an aggressive counterattack, targeting Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed during the powerplay. India raced to 52/1 in six overs.
Kishan brought up his half-century in just 27 balls — the third-fastest fifty in India–Pakistan T20I contests. His 77 off 40 deliveries, featuring 10 boundaries and three sixes, now ranks as the third-highest individual score in India–Pakistan T20I history, behind the unbeaten 78* and 82* by Virat Kohli and 79* by Mohammad Rizwan.
The 87-run stand between Kishan and Tilak was eventually broken by Saim Ayub, who emerged as Pakistan’s standout bowler with 3/25.
Despite late strikes from Ayub, India finished strongly. Suryakumar Yadav contributed 32, and a costly final over from Shaheen Afridi pushed India to a formidable 175/7.
India’s Bowlers Seal Dominant Win
Defending 176, India’s bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s top order inside two overs.
Hardik Pandya removed Sahibzada Farhan for a duck, while Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha. Pakistan slumped to 13/3, setting the tone for a one-sided chase.
Babar Azam fell for 5 to Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan at 34/4. A brief recovery came through Usman Khan’s 44 and a 39-run stand with Shadab Khan, but Axar broke the partnership with a sharp stumping by Kishan.
From there, wickets fell in clusters. Mohammed Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf departed quickly, while Varun Chakravarthy and Tilak Varma chipped in. Abrar Ahmed was trapped lbw for a golden duck.
Pakistan crossed 100 but never threatened the target, eventually being bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
Axar Patel (2/29), Hardik Pandya (2/16), Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) shared the spoils in a disciplined bowling display that underlined India’s balance and depth.
With this emphatic victory, India strengthened their position at the top of Group A and extended their unbeaten run to three matches, delivering yet another memorable chapter in the storied India–Pakistan rivalry.
