India vs Pakistan: Colombo witnesses Kishan hurricane, high-voltage clash ends in India’s 61-run triumph

Riding on a blistering half-century by aggressive opener Ishan Kishan (77 off 40 balls; 10x4, 3x6) and a disciplined all-round bowling effort, India outclassed arch-rivals Pakistan by 61 runs in a Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 176, Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs. Barring Usman Khan’s fighting 44 off 34 balls (6x4, 1x6), none of the Pakistani batters managed to withstand the Indian bowling attack.

Jasprit Bumrah (2/17), Axar Patel (2/29), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17) and Hardik Pandya (2/16) claimed two wickets each to seal a commanding victory for the Men in Blue.

Earlier, asked to bat first on a sluggish surface, India suffered an early setback when Pakistan captain Salman Agha dismissed Abhishek Sharma in the opening over. However, Kishan quickly counterattacked, shifting the momentum in India’s favour.

The left-hander anchored an 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma, taking on Pakistan’s spin attack with authority. Kishan raced to a 27-ball fifty despite the tacky pitch, dismantling Agha, Saim Ayub (3/25), Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan.

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Just when India looked poised for a massive total, Ayub struck twice in quick succession, removing Tilak and Hardik to spark a brief middle-order wobble. Kishan eventually fell attempting an expansive stroke, allowing Pakistan a momentary comeback.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dube (27) steadied the innings, while a 15-run final over off Shaheen Afridi propelled India to 175/7.

Despite Pakistan’s disciplined spin bowling, Kishan’s explosive knock proved decisive on a challenging track.