India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs on Sunday in their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo, marking yet another resounding triumph over the bitter rivals in ICC competitions, and also sealed a berth in the next Super Eights round.
On a difficult track, Ishan Kishan scored a superb 77 off 40 balls to lead India to 175/7.
Pakistan collapsed for 114 in 18 overs, proving that the total was more than sufficient. The opposition was destroyed by the opportune wickets taken by Indian pacers and spinners.
The two most notable bowers for India were Axar Patel (2/19) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/17).
Earlier, Pakistan battled back to somewhat pull back India that were once threatening to pile up more than 200 runs on the board riding on Ishan Kishan’s 40-ball 77, ending on 175/7 – the highest score in India vs Pakistan games in the T20 World Cup history.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who lost the toss and was asked to bat first, did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha. Only six days ago, after the Pakistani government reversed its earlier threat to boycott the match, was the off-on Group A match officially confirmed to proceed.
Dashing India opener Abhishek Sharma came back from a stomach ailment, but he was out for a duck after just four balls. His second duck of the competition came as he mistimed a Agha delivery to Shaheen Shah Afridi at mid-on.
The loss of his partner didn’t deter Kishan from attacking the Pakistani bowlers, reaching his fifty off 27 balls with two sixes and seven fours. He was bowled after missing a straighter delivery from spinner Saim Ayub after a stunning knock in which he was middling the ball all over the park.
Before he was dismissed, Kishan had amassed 77 runs off India’s 88-2 after 8.4 overs, having commanded the strike so thoroughly. In total, he hit ten fours and three sixes. While Kishan was at the crease, India appeared to be headed for a total of more than 200.
However, when he was dismissed, Pakistan was able to restrain India’s batters, and at the second drinks break, 14 overs later, they had only raised the score to 125/2. India was 126/3, and Tilak Varma (25), became Ayub’s second victim after getting trapped in front.
Hardik Pandya slogged the next ball and was caught in the deep to put Ayub on a hat-trick chance. Shivam Dube was completely beaten by the hat-trick ball that bounced over the top of the middle stump as it passed the left-hander’s outside edge. Ayub finished his spell with a magnificent 3/25 from his four overs.
In the penultimate over, Suryakumar, who was observing the chaos at the non-striker’s end, reached 32 off 29 balls before attempting to hit spinner Usman Tariq on the leg side but was caught on the midwicket boundary.
Rinku Singh hit a six and a four in his unbeaten 4-ball 11 after Dube was run out for 27 in the last over and Axar Patel fell for nought on the final ball.
