COLOMBO: India delivered a crushing 61-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R Premadasa Stadium, bowling out their opponents for a paltry 114 in 18 overs.
The comprehensive win, set up by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 77 and finished by a devastating spin bowling display, extended India’s head-to-head dominance over Pakistan and sent a thunderous message to the rest of the tournament field.
Kishan’s Masterclass Lays the Foundation
Earlier in the evening, India had posted a formidable 175 for 7 after being asked to bat first by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. The total, the highest ever in India-Pakistan T20 Internationals, was built around a breathtaking innings from Ishan Kishan.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter announced himself on the biggest stage with a 40-ball 77 that featured 10 boundaries and three towering sixes.
His strike rate of 192.50 set the tempo for the Indian innings after the early dismissal of Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck in the very first over.
Kishan found an able ally in Tilak Varma, with the pair adding 87 runs for the second wicket in just 46 deliveries. Varma contributed a composed 25 off 24 before falling LBW to the impressive Saim Ayub.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav played the anchor role to perfection, scoring 32 off 29 deliveries, while Shivam Dube’s late burst of 27 off 17 balls and Rinku Singh’s explosive 11 off just 4 deliveries ensured India crossed the 175-mark despite a middle-order wobble.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub was the pick of the bowlers with career-best figures of 3 for 25, while Usman Tariq (1/24) and Salman Agha (1/10) provided support in what was a historic six-spinner attack.
Bumrah Strikes Early, Pakistan Reeling
Chasing 176 for victory, Pakistan’s innings never recovered from a devastating opening burst from the Indian pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
The nightmare began in the very first over when Pandya, bowling with controlled aggression, had Sahibzada Farhan caught by Rinku Singh for a golden duck with just the fourth delivery of the innings. The stadium erupted as Pakistan slumped to 0 for 1.
What followed was pure carnage. Saim Ayub, the hero of Pakistan’s bowling innings, attempted to counterattack but fell LBW to Bumrah for a rapid 6 off just 2 balls. Two deliveries later, captain Salman Agha edged to Pandya off Bumrah’s bowling, and Pakistan were reeling at 13 for 3 at the end of the second over.
The procession continued when Babar Azam, Pakistan’s most experienced batter, was trapped LBW by Axar Patel for just 5. At 34 for 4 in the fifth over, the match was effectively over as a contest.
If the new-ball pair had done the early damage, it was India’s famed spin quartet that completed the formalities. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and part-timer Tilak Varma combined to rip through the Pakistan middle order with a display of controlled, wicket-taking bowling.
Usman Khan offered the only resistance, fighting a lone battle with a defiant 44 off 34 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter struck six boundaries and a six before being stumped by Kishan off Axar Patel’s bowling in the 11th over, triggering another collapse.
Remarkably, India used seven bowling options, with Rinku Singh also sending down a solitary over. The variety and quality of the attack left Pakistan with no answers, as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
Only three Pakistan batters reached double figures: Usman Khan (44), Shaheen Shah Afridi (23 not out), and Shadab Khan (14). The remaining eight batters contributed just 23 runs between them.
The victory also extended India’s head-to-head dominance, with the Men in Blue now having won 14 of the 17 T20 Internationals played between the two nations. The comprehensive victory propels India to the top of Group A.
