India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs in the T20 World Cup clash at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday, continuing their dominant run over their arch-rivals.
Chasing a target of 176, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships and were bundled out at 114 for all out in 18 overs despite some resistance from the middle order.
Usman Khan top-scored with 44 runs, while Shadab Khan contributed 14 and Fahim Ashraf added 10.
The rest of the lineup failed to make an impact, with Saim Ayub scoring 6, Babar Azam 5, captain Salman Ali Agha 4, and Mohammad Nawaz 4. Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmed were dismissed for ducks, highlighting Pakistan’s top-order collapse.
The run chase got off to a disastrous start as the openers failed to provide stability.
Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, putting Pakistan immediately on the back foot.
In the following over, Saim Ayub managed just six runs before being trapped leg-before-wicket by Jasprit Bumrah.
On the last ball of the same over, captain Salman Ali Agha attempted an ambitious shot but was caught, compounding Pakistan’s early woes.
Senior batter Babar Azam, who has been struggling for form, once again failed to deliver in a high-pressure contest.
The experienced right-hander could score only five runs before being bowled by Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan’s middle order exposed.
At the end of 14 overs, Pakistan were struggling at 91 for the loss of seven wickets, with the required run rate climbing steadily.
Now, Pakistan face an uphill battle to stage a comeback in this high-stakes clash against their arch-rivals.
Usman Khan (44) gave some resistance but was removed by Axar Patel in the 11th over.
Sahibzada Farhan (8), Saim Ayub (6), Salman Agha (4) and Babar Azam (5) were sent back home by Indian bowlers.
Shaheen Afridi managed a notable contribution, remaining unbeaten on 22 runs. The rest of the lineup faltered, with seven Pakistani batsmen failing to reach double figures, underscoring the team’s inability to chase down India’s 176-run target.
From the Indian bowling attack, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel each claimed two wickets, while Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav picked up one wicket apiece, contributing to Pakistan’s top-order collapse and helping India secure a dominant 61-run victory.
AFP adds: India routed their bitter rivals Pakistan by 61 runs on Sunday to qualify for the next round of the T20 World Cup in a showdown that had been in doubt until a few days ago.
Suryakumar Yadav's side scored 175-7 after being given a flying start by Ishan Kishan's brilliant 77 and then bowled out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs.
Pakistan's defeat continued their woeful record against India in World Cups.
India have won eight of nine T20 World Cup meetings and all eight of their ODI World Cup encounters.
Pakistan got off to the worst possible start in their chase of 176 to win, Sahibzada Farhan top-edging a slog across the line to mid-on for a duck in Hardik Pandya's first over.
It became 6-2 when Jasprit Bumrah's second ball trapped Saim Ayub (6) plumb in front.
Captain Salman Agha (4) was next to go, with another mistimed slog off Bumrah's sixth ball leaving his team in dire straits at 13-3.
When spinner Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam for five, Pakistan were in tatters at 34-4 in the fifth over.
Usman Khan offered some resistance, scoring 44 from 34 balls with a six and six fours in an attempt to repair the innings.
But after he charged down the pitch to Axar and Kishan stumped him by a mile, it sparked a mini-collapse of three wickets for five runs and at 78-7 the game was done and dusted.
Earlier, India captain Suryakumar and his Pakistan opposite number Agha did not shake hands at the coin toss, which Agha won and elected to bowl.
Suryakumar also did not shake hands with Agha in any of their three matches at the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, including the final.
The off-on Group A match was only confirmed to go ahead six days ago when the Pakistan government made a U-turn on a threat to boycott the encounter.
India opening batsman Abhishek Sharma returned after a stomach bug but only lasted four balls before falling without scoring.
Kishan was unperturbed by the loss of his partner and set about an assault on the Pakistan bowlers, bringing up his fifty off 27 balls with two sixes and seven fours.
He was middling the ball all round the park, so it was a major surprise when he missed a straighter delivery from spinner Ayub and was bowled.
Dominant Kishan
Kishan had dominated the strike so much that when he departed it was with 77 runs out of India's 88-2 after 8.4 overs to his name. He smacked three sixes and 10 fours in all.
Kishan's departure enabled Pakistan to put the brakes on India's batsmen and, at the second drinks break after 14 overs, they had advanced the score only to 125-2.
Tilak Varma, on 25, became Ayub's second victim, trapped in front and India were 126-3.
Hardik then slogged the next ball and was caught in the deep to put Ayub on a hat-trick.
Shivam Dube was beaten all ends up by the hat-trick ball, but it bounced over the top of middle stump as it turned past the left-hander's outside edge and he somehow survived.
Ayub finished with 3-25 from his four overs.
Suryakumar, who was watching the carnage at the non-striker's end, made 32 off 29 balls. Dube was run out in the final over for 27.
The cricket teams of the nuclear-armed neighbours only meet in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues as part of a compromise deal.
It has been more than 18 years since India and Pakistan last met in a Test match, and 13 years since either side crossed the border to play a bilateral series.
India posted a total of 175 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first, setting a challenging target of 176.
The innings began on a shaky note as Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed in the very first over.
He fell to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha without scoring, handing Pakistan an early breakthrough.
India, however, recovered strongly through Ishan Kishan, who played a scintillating knock of 77 off 40 balls.
His aggressive stroke play shifted the momentum before he was eventually bowled by Saim Ayub.
At 126 in the 15th over, Pakistan struck twice in quick succession to pull things back.
Tilak Varma was dismissed for 25 by Saim Ayub, and on the very next delivery, Hardik Pandya departed for a duck, giving Ayub his third wicket and triggering a mini-collapse.
Despite the late setbacks, India managed to finish strongly and set Pakistan a competitive target in what promises to be a thrilling run chase.
From Pakistan’s bowling effort, Saim Ayub was the standout performer, claiming three wickets. Usman Tariq, Shaheen Afridi, and Salman Ali Agha took one wicket each, while one Indian batter was dismissed via run out, highlighting a spirited but insufficient bowling performance.
India were 135-4 after 15 overs, while Suryakumar and Dube are at the crease trying to rebuild the innings.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed in the very first over, falling to Salman Ali Agha without scoring and giving Pakistan an early breakthrough in the high-voltage T20 World Cup encounter.
India’s second wicket fell after a commanding knock by Ishan Kishan, who smashed 77 runs off 40 balls before being bowled by Saim Ayub.
His aggressive innings had put India in a strong position and shifted the early momentum in their favour.
The turning point came in the 15th over with India at 126.
Saim Ayub struck again to remove Tilak Varma for 25, and on the very next delivery, he dismissed Hardik Pandya for a duck, triggering a dramatic collapse and bringing Pakistan roaring back into the contest.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha made a surprising tactical move by opening the bowling with spin.
The decision paid immediate dividends as the skipper himself delivered the first over and claimed the crucial wicket of Abhishek Sharma, dismissing him for a duck and providing Pakistan with an early breakthrough.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed in the very first over, falling to Salman Ali Agha without scoring, handing Pakistan an early breakthrough in the high-voltage T20 World Cup clash against India.
Pakistan's skipper, Salman Ali Agha, won the toss and announced to bowl first.
No handshake was held again between the two captains in Colombo.
Speaking at the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed confidence in his side’s preparation and familiarity with local conditions.
“We have not made any changes to the team. We have experience playing on these pitches and our complete focus is on the match,” he said, underlining the team’s intent to maintain continuity in a crucial fixture.
Historically, India hold a commanding edge over Pakistan in T20 World Cup meetings.
Of the eight encounters between the two sides in the tournament’s history, India have emerged victorious seven times, while Pakistan have managed just one win — a statistic that adds extra motivation for the green shirts to rewrite the script.
Playing XIs
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
India XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Large screens set up in major cities
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the high-stakes encounter has gripped fans across the region, with large screens set up in major Pakistani cities and supporters preparing celebrations that could echo from Colombo to Karachi.
Rain threat
Yet the weather remains a looming concern, as regional meteorological authorities have forecast possible rain over the Sri Lankan capital.
Expectations from players
Pakistan’s preparations have intensified in the lead-up to the contest, with the team holding its longest practice session of the tournament.
Analysts believe the side’s batting strength will revolve around Saim Ayub, Farhan and Babar Azam, while all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are expected to play pivotal roles.
Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf are likely to spearhead the attack, while spinner Usman Tariq has been described by team management as Pakistan’s potential trump card.
Pakistani captain's confidence
Captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed complete confidence in his senior players, particularly Babar Azam, saying the team aims to deliver a memorable performance.
Across Pakistan, from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Karachi, supporters are rallying behind the team, hoping for a defining victory in one of the sport’s most politically charged contests.
Issue of handshakes between players
Meanwhile, questions surrounding customary handshakes between players have added a diplomatic undertone to the clash.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav responded cautiously when asked about the matter, saying, “Wait 24 hours. Eat, sleep and see what happens tomorrow.” Salman Ali Agha said Pakistan wished to follow established traditions.
Mohsin Naqvi arrives Sri Lanka
Off the field, Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has arrived in Sri Lanka and is expected to meet the national squad ahead of the match. Naqvi received a warm welcome at the airport and is scheduled to watch the contest in Colombo following an invitation from ICC leadership.
Hindu community's puja for Pakistan's win
A special puja (worship prayer) has been performed in the temple by the Hindu community in Larkana for Pakistan's victory in today's ICC T20 World Cup match.