COLOMBO: In a high-voltage ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium, India posted a commanding total of 175 for 7 against arch-rivals Pakistan, the highest score ever recorded in India-Pakistan T20 Internationals.
The innings, which witnessed a record-breaking partnership and an unprecedented bowling approach from Pakistan, saw Ishan Kishan announce his arrival on the biggest stage with a breathtaking 77 off just 40 deliveries. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter’s explosive knock, studded with 10 boundaries and three sixes, formed the bedrock of India’s imposing total after Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had opted to field first.
Record-Breaking Total Rewrites History Books
India’s 175 for 7 surpasses their previous best against Pakistan in T20 cricket, a 172 for 5 they scored during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne. The total also represents the highest score in the storied rivalry, eclipsing Pakistan’s 182 for 4 against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, though that match was played under different conditions in Dubai.
The significance of the total was not lost on the Indian dressing room, particularly given the challenging nature of the R Premadasa surface, which offered grip and turn throughout the innings.
Pakistan’s Historic Six-Spinner Gambit
In a tactical move never before seen in India-Pakistan cricket history, Pakistan deployed six spin-bowling options during the Indian innings. Captain Salman Ali Agha turned to the slow bowlers for 16 of the 20 overs, with only Shaheen Shah Afridi’s two overs and Saim Ayub’s part-time spin being the exceptions.
The spin contingent comprised:
Saim Ayub – 4 overs, 3 wickets for 25 runs
Mohammad Nawaz – 4 overs, 0 wickets for 28 runs
Usman Tariq – 4 overs, 1 wicket for 24 runs
Abrar Ahmed – 3 overs, 0 wickets for 38 runs
Salman Agha – 2 overs, 1 wicket for 10 runs
Shadab Khan – 1 over, 0 wickets for 17 runs
The 16 overs of spin conceded 142 runs while claiming five wickets – a testament to both Pakistan’s tactical innovation and India’s aggressive approach against the slow bowlers.
Kishan Masterclass Anchors Indian Innings
The Indian innings began disastrously when Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck in the very first over, caught by Shaheen Afridi off the bowling of Salman Agha. However, Ishan Kishan counterattacked with breathtaking ferocity, finding an able ally in Tilak Varma.
The pair added 87 runs for the second wicket in just 46 deliveries, with Kishan doing the bulk of the scoring. The left-hander raced to his fifty off just 28 balls, punishing anything loose with exquisite timing and power.
Tilak Varma played the perfect supporting role, contributing 25 off 24 deliveries before falling LBW to the impressive Saim Ayub in the 15th over.
Saim Ayub’s Triple Strike Rocks India
Just when India looked set for a total beyond 190, Saim Ayub produced a match-defining spell of left-arm spin. The part-time bowler, who had earlier taken a stunning catch to dismiss Abhishek Sharma, returned to claim the scalps of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya in a devastating burst.
His dismissal of Kishan in the ninth over, bowling the dangerous southpaw, shifted momentum momentarily. When he returned later to trap Tilak LBW and then have Hardik Pandya caught by Babar Azam for a first-ball duck, Pakistan sensed an opportunity to restrict India well below 160.
Suryakumar, Dube Provide Late Flourish
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, arriving at the crease with the score at 126 for 3, played a composed innings of 32 off 29 deliveries. While his strike rate of 110.34 was uncharacteristically sedate by his lofty standards, his presence allowed the aggressive Shivam Dube to flourish at the other end.
Dube hammered 27 off just 17 balls, including three boundaries and a six, before being run out off the penultimate delivery of the innings following a mix-up with Rinku Singh.
Rinku provided the perfect finish, smashing 11 off just 4 deliveries – a cameo that included a towering six and a boundary. His late fireworks, combined with Axar Patel’s unfortunate golden duck on the final ball, propelled India past the 175-mark.
Bowling Figures: Spinners Dominate, Pacers Struggle
Saim Ayub emerged as the unlikely hero with career-best figures of 4-0-25-3, his off-spin proving difficult to score off consistently
Usman Tariq maintained exceptional control, conceding just 24 runs in his four overs while claiming the crucial wicket of Suryakumar Yadav
Salman Agha was economical in his two-over spell, claiming 1 for 10 including the early wicket of Abhishek Sharma
Shaheen Afridi, surprisingly used for only two overs, finished with 1 for 31, his solitary wicket coming in the final over when he had Axar Patel caught by Saim Ayub
Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan proved expensive, conceding 38 and 17 runs respectively in their combined four overs
