Shivam Dube was furious over Rinku Singh. Again, a misunderstanding between these two batters cost Team India a wicket. Dube was batting nicely, well settled on the track, when Pakistan made him run out.

Dube was absolutely not happy with his batting partner, Rinku Singh. It was not the first time when the team had to suffer a run-out in the presence of these two batters. It was the closing moments of the first inning when the Men in Blue lost one of their big hitters.

Rinku Singh was on the strike against Shaheen Afridi

In the fifth delivery of the 20th over, Shaheen Afridi was up against Rinku Singh. Singh played with a soft hand as the ball pitched outside off. The right-handed batter had to reach for the ball before making a connection. After making the connection with the blade, the ball went towards the sweeper cover, where Mohammad Nawaz was there to collect the ball.

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In the meantime, Rinku and Shivam completed a single with comfort. Dube called for the second and quickly set off for that. It was the fifth ball of the 20th over, so the adrenaline rush was there in the batters for obvious reasons. While Dube wholeheartedly wanted to steal another run, Rinku hesitated.

Shivam Dube wanted the second

Rinku was then at the non-striker’s end and Shivam at the striker’s end after completing the first run. Shivam Dube turned quickly and ran a few yards as well, only to be denied by his batting partner. Nawaz, the fielder who collected the ball, made no mistake in throwing it in the striker’s end. The keeper, Usman Khan, precisely collected the ball and hit the stumps. The red lights on the stumps started to blink; Dube had to depart.

In this match, Shivam Dube scored 27 off 17, with three 4s and a 6, which took his strike rate to 158.82. On the other end, Rinku Singh remained not out for 11 off 4 with one 4 and one 6. Both of their knocks were crucial for the team’s perspective, as they were able to score 175 for 7 in 20 overs.

A decent batting display from Team India

Two key batters, Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya, were dismissed without scoring a single run, which were major blows for the team. Ishan Kishan appeared as the top performer for the team because of his fine 77-run innings against 40 balls. He completed the half-century facing only 27 deliveries, which sets an all-time record in the India vs Pakistan rivalry.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav continued with 32 against 29 balls. The total was very competitive, but the Indian cricket fans might have expected more fireworks from the star-studded batting lineup.

Read More: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah gives Saim Ayub a death stare after dismissing him with a stunning yorker

A massive win for Team India, the defending champion of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. And for the Pakistan cricket team, it is another heartbreaking moment for them. India won the match by 61 runs, with Ishan Kishan as the best performer of the game.

Ishan Kishan is named as the Man of the Match. He deserved the award. The keeper-batter almost single-handedly carried the team, especially during the powerplays, when Team India was reduced by one wicket. The opener scored 77 off 40 with ten 4s and three 6s.

Ishan kept faith on skills and strengths

India was in trouble when Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha dismissed Abhishek Sharma for a duck. It could have been a devastating moment for the Men in Blue, but Ishan Kishan was there to repair the damage. He not only helped the team to sustain the early blow but also took the team for a flying start under overcast weather.

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After the match, Ishan shared that the pitch was not easy to bat on and scored runs at a quick pace. But he did not lose trust in his skills and strengths and continued to score runs. The southpaw informed us that he polished his batting more during the net sessions. He grew more confident while making shots on the off-side. That was the visible result of his hard work at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15.

“I think the wicket wasn’t that easy in the beginning. You just have to believe and focus on your strength. Wanted to make them run as much as possible to my side. I worked a lot on my offside play. I was just trying to keep it simple,” Ishant Kishan said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Vowed t continue the momentum

Backed by Ishan’s 77, Team India registered 175 runs in exchange for 7 wickets in 20 overs. In modern cricket, a target below 180 is often considered a chaseable total. But Ishan knew that the pitch would make the Pakistan batters toil hard in front of a total of 170.

He also believed that the massive win over the arch rivals will boost up their confidence, which will help them in the upcoming matches of the tournament. The batter vowed that they will try their best to carry the moment for the rest of the title race.

“I had in mind that we need to put up a total like 160-170 runs, and it will be a very good total for us. India v Pakistan is always a special game, not only for us but for our country as well. So we had to win this one because it was a very important game, and they had pretty good spinners on their side, and we were just supposed to play the good shots, and yeah, winning this against the Pakistan team… it will give us a lot of confidence going ahead in the tournament, and we’ll try to just keep the momentum going,” he added.

Ishan Kishan praised Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah

Ishan also praised Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah for their bowling efforts. The combination of Bumrah and Pandya with the new ball claimed three top-order wickets of Pakistan’s batting lineup. Bumrah took the wickets of Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha, while Hardik dismissed Sahibzada Farhan and later, Usman Tariq.

“I think they bowled tremendously well. Pace bowlers… when I was batting and Shaheen was bowling, I didn’t feel like the ball was doing much for the pace bowlers. But at the same time, looking at them (India’s new ball bowlers) bowl two beautiful overs,” Ishan Kishan explained.

Read More: Ishan Kishan breaks fastest half-century record with stunning knock against Pakistan

Ishan Kishan, on Sunday (February 15), played a stunning knock with the bat to put India in the driver’s seat against Pakistan in the 27th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

While batsmen from both the teams struggled to play their shots on a sluggish and slow pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Ishan Kishan played a blinder. Even though Abhishek Sharma was out for a duck, the wicketkeeper-batsman played his usual aggressive game and smashed a whirlwind fifty to put India on the front foot.

Also Read: Shivam Dube furious at Rinku Singh after being Run Out against Pakistan

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Ishan Kishan smashed blazing fifty:

Ishan Kishan got going with a stunning six off Shaheen Afridi in the second over of the innings and did not look back after that. He played the big shots right from the start on a tough pitch and went on to hit a record 27-ball fifty. His 27-ball fifty is now also the fastest fifty in a India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup.

He eventually scored 77 runs off just 40 balls. His impressive knock was studded with 10 fours and 3 sixes. No other Indian batter could score more than 32 runs in the innings. Thanks to Kishan’s knock, India posted a challenging total of 175/7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Mohammed Siraj’s heartwarming gesture for Ishan Kishan:

A heartwarming incident was witnessed when Kishan was receiving treatment on the field during his knock. In the 8th over of the innings, he played a reverse sweep against Shadab Khan and seemingly hurt his knee as he fell awkwardly.

While he was lying on the ground and getting treated, a beautiful moment of sportsmanship stood out thanks to Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pacer was not a part of the playing eleven for the match and walked out with the drinks while Kishan was down.

India outplay Pakistan:

Talking about the match, India completely outplayed Pakistan to extend their winning run and seal a place in the next round. The reigning champions thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs to register their third win in a row. Chasing 176 runs, Pakistan never looked in contention and were eventually all out for just 114 runs.

Hardik Pandya gave India a strong start by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan in the very first over before Jasprit Bumrah sent back Saim Ayub and Salman Agha in the second over. Pakistan just could not recover from those early setbacks and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Salman Ali Agha, the losing side captain on February 15th night, blames the spinners after a shameful defeat against the archrival India by 61 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Ahead of the India vs Pakistan match, the spinner of the Pakistan cricket team is considered their trump card. In reality, Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav exposed the bowling attack of Pakistan. Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh also added significant runs from their brief knocks.

Salman Ali Agha accused the spinners

Salman Ali Agha directly said that it was bad for business for their spinners. He pointed out that the spinner failed to execute in multiple moments. Agha repeatedly mentioned the execution, which they might have been unsuccessful in doing.

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“Our spinners had an off day. Execution was missing in some parts. We believe in our spinners; they’ve done well in the last six months,” the Pakistan skipper said after the match.

Against India’s 175, Pakistan wrapped up their innings for only 114 runs in 18 overs. Ahead of the match, there were many talks around the controversial spinner Usman Tariq. Tariq, in his 4-over spell, took the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav against an economy rate of 6.00. Abrar Ahmed, another experienced spinner from Pakistan, proved very costly for the team. He spent 38 runs without claiming a single wicket in 3 overs.

Batters also failed to convince

The bowlers, precisely the spinners, might have failed to execute. But most of the Pakistani batters also failed to justify their skills. The total of 114 is the proof.

“We lost too many wickets in the powerplay with the bat. In the first innings it was tacky; the ball was gripping as well. The execution was missing with the ball. Pitch played better in the second innings than it did in the first,” Agha added.

Salman Ali Agha confident about bouncing back

Wherever the India vs Pakistan match takes place, crowds gather in large numbers to see the rivalry live. On February 15, Colombo was not an exception. The full house also could have put extra pressure on the cricketers.

“In these kinds of games, the emotions are always going to be high. Have to deal with it. Have played enough games like that. Have a game in two days’ time; have to look forward to that. Need to win that game and qualify for the Super Eights. Then it’s a new tournament again,” Salman Ali Agha concluded.

Pakistan will next face Namibia on February 18 at the SSC Cricket Ground in Colombo at 3.00 PM IST.

Read More: Watch: Jasprit Bumrah gives Saim Ayub a death stare after dismissing him with a stunning yorker

India 8-1 Pakistan. This is the scoreline in the history of T20 World Cups after the February 15th match in Colombo. India defeated their archrivals Pakistan by a 61-run margin at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Ishan Kishan was the star performer of the match. Suryakumar Yadav, Team India captain, praised the top-order batter for upholding a brilliant batting display under pressure. Because of Kishan’s 77-run knock, India successfully posted the challenging total on the scoreboard.

Suryakumar Yadav praised Ishan Kishan’s effort to rescue Team India from the early setback

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha surprised every cricket fan by plucking the wicket of Abhishek Sharma in the first innings of the match. Sharma’s departure for a duck put the Men in Blue in a tough situation. But Ishan Kishan was there for the rescue work.

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Despite batting in a watchful manner, the left-handed batter continued his batting in an aggressive way—a counterattack at its best. The pitch was not ideal enough for batting flawlessly; Pakistan batters released that thoroughly as they lost all of their 10 wickets for only 114 runs in 18 overs.

“I think this is for India. We played the same brand of cricket that we wanted to play. Batting first was the 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,” Suryakumar Yadav said in the match after the presentation ceremony.

Suryakumar Yadav explained the situation was challenging for the batting first team

The situation was not the best for Team India as they went to bat first. Pakistan has been playing their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka; it is their known ground. For India, the circumstances were new. The weather was also not ideal for batting.

Throughout the day, Colombo was under a layer of clouds. For the cricketer, it was very hard to predict anything early about the nature of the pitch as well as the nature of the ground.

India will try to gain fourth win in a row

“It’s difficult to say when you’re batting first. Because you never know if there will be dew or how the pitch will play under lights. But we felt it was 15 above par. 155 could’ve been a tight game. It was great to see everyone contributing with the ball. We’ll go back, have a good time together as a team, and then think about the other games when we take the flight to Ahmedabad,” Suryakumar Yadav explained.

India will face the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad at 7.00 PM IST. Ahead of the match, they have secured three wins in a row.

Read More: The execution was missing with the ball: Salman Ali Agha blames spinners after loss against India

As the Indian cricket fans on social media platforms are saying, Pakistan was prepared for Abhishek Sharma, but Ishan Kishan came out of the syllabus.

After the duck of Abhishek Sharma, Kishan was on a rampage at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Jharkhand-born registered the fastest ever half-century in the history of India-Pakistan rivalry on the evening of February 15.

Ishan Kishan ran a rampage in Colombo

The weather forecast predicted rain throughout the day; in reality, it was raining runs from Ishan Kishan’s bat. The left-handed batter touched the 50-run mark in only 27 balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 match for the group stage. It was his first ever fifty against Pakistan as well.

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Because of the rampage, Team India was able to quickly recollect themselves after sustaining the early blow in the form of Abhishek Sharma. From 1/1 in the first over to 88 for 2 in 8.4 overs, the Men in Blue scored 87 runs at a rapid pace. Kishan’s timely knock continued for 77 runs against 44 balls. His swashbuckling innings was decorated with ten 4s and three 6s, with a strike rate of 192.5.

Ishan disrupted India-Pakistan record

It was the fastest ever half-century recorded in an India vs Pakistan match. In the process, the keeper-batter surpassed the previous record holders in the list. He left behind Iftikhar Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Virat Kohli, and Gautam Gambhir to place himself at the top of the ladder.

In 2022, Ahmed completed his half-century in 32 balls; Misbah needed 33 deliveries to do that in 2007. Before Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli was holding the record for smashing the fastest half-century as an Indian cricketer against Pakistan. Kohli achieved the feat in 2016, facing 36 balls. Gautam Gambhir, currently head coach of Team India, scored a half-century in 38 balls back in 2007.

Meanwhile, India won the match with ease. They posted a total of 175 in exchange for 7 wickets, and Pakistan, in reply, claimed only 114 runs against all of their batters in 18 overs. Which means India, the defending champion, won the contest on February 15, 2026, by 61 runs. Ishan Kishan was named as the best player of the match for his difference-making 77-run innings.

After the match, India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the keeper-batter for the unmatchable effort. With this win, India claimed three wins in three back-to-back matches in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Fastest half-centuries in the history of the India vs Pakistan match:

Read More: “Mine and Abhishek Sharma’s runs are equal in the T20 World Cup”: Fans brutally troll India opener as he is dismissed for duck against Pakistan

Suryakumar Yadav-led India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs in the 27th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 to continue their unbeaten run. It was India’s third win in as many games in the competition and has also booked their place in the next round.

The Men in Blue completely dominated Pakistan in the match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Even though Pakistan had the advantage of playing their first two games at the same venue, it counted for little as they proved no match for the reigning champions.

Also Read: The execution was missing with the ball: Salman Ali Agha blames spinners after loss against India

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India thrash Pakistan:

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first on a sluggish surface. The Men in Green were off to a good start as Abhishek Sharma was out for a duck in the very first over. However, Ishan Kishan changed the complexion of the match with his whirlwind knock.

He smashed a 27-ball fifty and went on to score 77 runs off just 40 balls. His stunning knock was studded with 10 fours and three sixes. He was the only batter from either side to score a fifty. India eventually finished their innings on 175/7 in 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for just 114 runs. They lost three wickets inside the first two overs and just could not recover after that. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were all out for a paltry total in the end. Usman Khan top-scored for his side, scoring 44 runs while Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets apiece.

Hardik Pandya loses his cool:

It was a perfect outing for Team India but the end of the match saw some tense moments after two catches were dropped off Hardik Pandya’s bowling. The incident took place in the 18th over when Hardik Pandya was bowling to Shaheen Afridi. On the very first ball of the over, Afridi edged the ball behind the stumps but Kishan dropped it.

Hardik Pandya was not at all happy and was seen giving Kishan a earful. On the very next ball, Afridi was dropped again and Kuldeep Yadav was at fault this time. Kuldeep dropped a fairly easy chance at long-on. Not only that, the ball also sailed over the boundary for a six, making Hardik Pandya absolutely furious.

Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep involved in heated exchange:

As soon as Kuldeep dropped the catch, an animated Pandya pointed at both Ishan and Kuldeep and seemingly cursed them. Pandya went on to dismiss Afridi in the same over to take India over the line.

Even after the win, Pandya was not at all happy with the fielding effort and was seen having a heated exchange with Kuldeep. Later, captain Suryakumar Yadav was also seen saying something to Kuldeep in an animated fashion while the players were shaking hands with each other.

Watch:

Here is the video 😭😭

Kuldeep vs Hardik Pandya and Surya #IndvsPak pic.twitter.com/au48bFIXFp

— Pan India Review (@PanIndiaReview) February 15, 2026

In a clinical display of high-octane cricket at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15, 2026, India decimated Pakistan by 61 runs to officially secure their place in the Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026. The victory was anchored by a ferocious counter-attack from Ishan Kishan, who transformed a shaky start into a match-winning platform with his second consecutive fifty of the tournament.

India’s bowling unit, led by a menacing opening spell from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, then dismantled the Pakistan chase, leaving it in total ruins within the Powerplay. With a perfect record of three wins from three games, the Men in Blue have become the first team from Group A to qualify for the next round. This dominant performance not only reaffirms India’s title credentials but also marks one of their most comprehensive World Cup victories over their arch-rivals.

T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan’s blazing 77 powers India to 175 in Colombo 

Following a tense ‘no-handshake’ toss where Pakistan elected to bowl, India suffered an immediate setback when Abhishek Sharma fell for a four-ball duck to Salman Ali Agha‘s off-spin. However, Kishan refused to let the pressure mount, launching a breathtaking assault that saw him smash 10 fours and 3 sixes across the park. By reaching his half-century in just 27 balls, Kishan officially joined an elite bracket of Indian batters to score a 50+ against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, maintaining a strike rate of 192.50.

His aggressive 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma stabilized the innings and propelled India to a record-breaking 175/7, the highest team total ever recorded in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. Despite a middle-order wobble caused by Saim Ayub’s triple strike, which included dismissing Hardik for a golden duck, late cameos from Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dube (27) ensured India posted a total that felt well above par on the tacky, slow Colombo surface.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan joins Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s elite list after explosive 77 vs Pakistan

The Hardik Pandya-Jasprit Bumrah blitz: Pakistan’s chase crumbles for 114

Defending a target of 176, India’s Hardik set the tone with an extraordinary opening over that essentially decided the match before it truly began. Handed the new ball in a tactical masterstroke by Suryakumar, Pandya delivered a perfect wicket-maiden, inducing a mistimed pull from Sahibzada Farhan who departed for a four-ball duck.

The nightmare only deepened for Pakistan in the second over when Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub with a searing yorker and removed captain Salman Agha two balls later, leaving the chase in tatters at 13/3. Axar Patel soon cleaned up Babar Azam for just 5, and while Usman Khan offered brief resistance with a 44-run knock, the ‘Spin Twins’ Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy triggered a final collapse. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs, handing India a massive 61-run victory and their most dominant bowling display of the 2026 campaign so far.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Padosiyo…..

Sunday kesa raha?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 15, 2026

India seem to intimidate Pakistan on the cricket field .. they are so much better in all facets of the game & such a better mentality of coping with the huge occasion .. #INDvsPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 15, 2026

Incredible striking by pocket rocket @ishankishan51 👏 175 is a really good total on a tricky pitch. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/bijD4Oln8f

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026

Team India 🇮🇳 well done . India vs Pakistan is only hype no contest. Fan made rivalry but one way traffic on the field ….. Again . JAI HIND

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 15, 2026

I’ve said it before, but it is worth repeating. Pakistan’s cricket administration puts far too much pressure on their players. You could see that in how tentative they were.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2026

India is an exceptional team, best in the world. You need to have a near flawless game to beat them. Pakistan made too many errors, too many false shots, too many poor deliveries. You’re never going to get close with a performance like that. Introspection required. #T20WorldCup

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) February 15, 2026

A 61 run defeat on a pitch that was Pakistan’s best chance tells you the current gulf betwen them and India.

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 15, 2026

Pak fans after suffering yet another embarrassing defeat to India 😅 #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tlzqm0n2NE

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026

Ishan Kishan, a doff of the hat, good sir! You are a master of the craft. That innings will stay with me for a long time. Right up there with Rohit against Oz in the last World Cup. Perhaps better.

— Nikhil Mehra (@TweetinderKaul) February 15, 2026

India takes 8-1 lead over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history 🔥#cricket #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XeLqwtd45d

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 15, 2026

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

In a blistering opening to the second innings at the R. Premadasa Stadium in T20 World Cup 2026, India‘s premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has signaled a ruthless intent to defend the target of 176 against Pakistan. The atmosphere in Colombo, already electric after Ishan Kishan‘s attacking 77, reached a fever pitch as the Indian vice-captain dismantled Pakistan’s top order within the very first over of the chase.

Hardik Pandya’s wicket-maiden as Sahibzada Farhan falls for a duck

Hardik produced a clinical opening over that has left Pakistan reeling in their pursuit of 176. In a tactical surprise, captain Suryakumar Yadav handed the ball to Hardik instead of Jasprit Bumrah to start the attack. Pandya rewarded the faith instantly with a spectacular wicket-maiden; after pinning Sahibzada Farhan with three probing dot balls, he induced a mistimed pull off a sharp, back-of-length delivery. The ball ballooned toward mid-on, where Rinku Singh remained ice-cool under pressure to complete the catch. This dismissal sent Farhan back for a four-ball duck and further cemented Hardik’s status as Pakistan’s primary nemesis, marking his 16th career T20I wicket against the arch-rivals.

Here’s the video:

No sixes, no documentary? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai 🤐

Hardik Pandya 🤝 Rinku Singh

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/2YlRIY60pv

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan joins Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s elite list after explosive 77 vs Pakistan

Jasprit Bumrah’s double strike: Pakistan crumble in the powerplay

The nightmare for Pakistan intensified in the second over as Bumrah reminded the world why he is the gold standard of fast bowling. Despite Saim Ayub greeting him with a fortuitous six on the first ball, Bumrah responded with a trademark, searing in-swinging yorker that trapped Ayub (6) plumb in front of the stumps.

Just two balls later, Bumrah struck again, inducing a leading edge from Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha (4) that was comfortably swallowed by Pandya at mid-on. The carnage didn’t stop there, as Axar Patel was introduced in the 4th over and immediately cleaned up Babar Azam (5) with a delivery that skidded through the gates. By the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan’s chase was in total disarray at 38/4, with the R. Premadasa crowd witnessing one of the most clinical bowling displays in the tournament’s history.

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

In a blistering display of batting brilliance at the R. Premadasa Stadium, India‘s explosive opener Ishan Kishan has redefined aggression against the arch-rivals Pakistan. Rising to the T20 World Cup 2026 occasion on February 15, 2026, he transformed the high-pressure atmosphere of Colombo into his personal playground, dismantling a potent bowling attack with surgical precision. His masterclass in boundary-hitting ensured that despite an early setback, the momentum shifted firmly back toward the Men in Blue.

Ishan Kishan’s 77 vs Pakistan earns him spot in elite list with Virat Kohli and Gaitam Gambhir

By smashing a breathtaking 77 off just 40 balls, Kishan has officially joined an elite and exclusive bracket of Indian legends. He becomes only the fourth Indian batter to score a half-century against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, etching his name alongside Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Robin Uthappa. Kishan’s innings was particularly significant as he neutralized the ‘mystery’ spin of Usman Tariq and the off-spin of Salman Agha, who had earlier removed Abhishek Sharma for a duck. His 10 fours and 3 sixes not only propelled India to a commanding position but also made him the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to achieve this milestone in the tournament’s history.

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Saim Ayub stalls India’s momentum in T20 World Cup 2026 clash

The high-octane clash began with a frosty ‘no-handshake’ policy at the toss, but India quickly seized control through Kishan’s historic 77-run blitz. However, the game has taken a dramatic turn in the middle overs as Pakistan’s Saim Ayub engineered a stunning collapse to drag his side back into the contest. After removing a cramping Kishan in the 9th over, Ayub returned in the 15th to remove Tilak Varma (25) and Hardik Pandya (0) on consecutive deliveries, leaving India reeling at 126/4. Kishan has been the undeniable star of India’s 2026 campaign so far, adding this masterclass to his 24-ball 61 against Namibia, but the pressure now rests entirely on captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube to salvage the innings in the death overs.

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash