T20 World Cup 2026: IND win by 61 runs Against Pak In Colombo

New Delhi: India beat Pakistan by 61 runs one-sidedly in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15. With this victory, India became the first team to qualify for the Super 8 stage from Group A. This victory extended India’s strong record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups, marking their eighth win in nine encounters.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. India posted a competitive 175 for 7 in 20 overs on a slow, gripping pitch that favored spinners. Opener Ishan Kishan delivered a brilliant 77 off 40 balls, smashing 10 fours and 3 sixes to set a strong foundation after Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Salman Agha.

Kishan accelerated quickly, reaching his fifty in 27 balls and dominating the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav added 32, Tilak Varma contributed 25, and late cameos from Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh helped India cross 170. Pakistan used six spinners-a record in the tournament-with Saim Ayub emerging as their standout bowler, taking 3 for 25 in 4 overs, including the key scalps of Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya.

Pakistan Bowling Figures (to India)

Salman Agha bowled 2 overs for 10 runs and took 1 wicket at an economy of 5.00. Shaheen Shah Afridi conceded 31 runs in 2 overs and picked up 1 wicket, Saim Ayub took 3 for 25 in 4 overs. Abrar Ahmed went for 38 runs in 3 overs without a wicket, Shadab Khan gave away 17 runs in 1 over. Mohammad Nawaz bowled 4 overs for 28 runs without success. Usman Tariq claimed 1 wicket for 24 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 6.00.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said in the post-match presentation: “We played the same brand of cricket what we wanted to play. Batting first was a better option on this wicket. Ishan thought something out of the box. After 0/1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing. We felt it was 15 above par. 155 could’ve been a tight game. It was great to see everyone contributing with the ball.”

Chasing 176, Pakistan’s chase collapsed early as they lost four wickets in the powerplay for just 34 runs. Hardik Pandya opened the attack and dismissed Sahibzada Farhan for a duck in his first over. Jasprit Bumrah then struck twice, removing Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha. Axar Patel accounted for Babar Azam to deepen the trouble.

Usman Khan offered resistance with a fighting 44 off 34 balls (6 fours, 1 six), but Axar Patel returned to stump him. Wickets continued to fall as Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Mohammad Nawaz (caught by Shivam Dube), Tilak Varma got Shadab Khan in his first over, and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed a quick brace. Hardik Pandya wrapped up the innings by taking the final wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.

India Bowling Figures (to Pakistan)

India’s bowling figures against Pakistan showed strong discipline. Hardik Pandya bowled 3 overs for 16 runs and took 2 wickets at an economy of 5.33. Jasprit Bumrah claimed 2 for 17 in 2 overs. Axar Patel took 2 for 29 in 4 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy picked up 2 for 17 in 3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took 1 for 14 in 3 overs. Tilak Varma bowled 2 overs for 11 runs and grabbed 1 wicket. Rinku Singh went for 9 runs in 1 over without a wicket.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said in the post match presentation “Our spinners had an off day. Execution was missing in some parts.We lost too many wickets in the powerplay with the bat. In these kinds of games, the emotions are always going to be high. We have to deal with it.We have a game in the next two days, and have to look forward to that. We need to win that game and qualify for the Super Eights.”

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson credited Kishan: “The ball was spinning quite a lot initially and the way Ishan Kishan played, it took the game away from us… They probably got 25 above par on that surface. From a batting point of view, we didn’t give ourselves a chance.”

Ishan Kishan earned Player of the Match for his match-defining knock. India’s bowlers showed excellent discipline and variety, while the team effort secured a convincing win. As defending champions, India look strong, while Pakistan need a victory in their next match to keep their Super 8 hopes alive.