India Dominate Pakistan by 61 Runs in T20 World Cup Clash
COLOMBO: produced a scintillating knock before a disciplined all-round bowling display powered India to a commanding 61-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their clash at the on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging 176, Pakistan never truly found momentum and were bundled out for 114 in 18 overs.
The chase got off to a nightmare start as India’s new-ball pair and ripped through the top order. Sahibzada Farhan departed without scoring, Saim Ayub managed just six, and captain fell for four, leaving Pakistan reeling at 13 inside two overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan attempted to steady the innings from No.5. He stitched together a brief 21-run stand with , who was dismissed for five by . Usman then combined with for a cautious 39-run partnership, but Axar struck again to remove the latter and tighten India’s grip.
Usman stood firm with a fighting 44 off 34 balls, striking six fours and a six, but lacked support at the other end. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab fell in quick succession, reducing Pakistan to 78 for 7.
Faheem Ashraf and added 19 runs for the eighth wicket before dismantled the lower order. He also accounted for Abrar Ahmed, while Pandya wrapped up the innings by dismissing Usman Tariq.
India’s bowling unit shared the spoils, with Bumrah, Axar, Pandya and Chakravarthy claiming two wickets each. and chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bowl first did not pay dividends as India posted 175 for 7. The Men in Blue suffered an early setback when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a four-ball duck, courtesy of Agha’s opening over.
However, Kishan shifted the momentum dramatically. He forged an explosive 87-run second-wicket partnership with Tilak Varma in just 45 deliveries, putting Pakistan’s attack under immense pressure. Kishan blazed his way to 77 off 40 balls, smashing 10 boundaries and three sixes before Saim Ayub broke the stand.
Varma then partnered with to rebuild steadily, adding 38 runs. Saim struck twice in quick succession, removing Varma and Pandya to keep Pakistan in the contest.
With the score at 126 for 4, Shivam Dube joined Yadav, and the pair maintained a healthy scoring rate with a 33-run partnership. Yadav made 32 off 29 balls, while Dube contributed a brisk 27 from 17 deliveries to push India to a competitive total.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub was the most effective bowler with figures of 3 for 25. Agha, Shaheen and Tariq claimed one wicket each, but India’s batting depth and clinical bowling ultimately proved too strong on the night.
