India stormed into the Super 8 stage of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a dominant 61-run victory over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.
This was India’s eighth win over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history as they continued their strong title defence with another all-round performance.
Sent in to bat first, India posted their highest total against Pakistan in the tournament’s history, scoring 175 for 7 in 20 overs. The innings was powered by a brilliant knock from Ishan Kishan, who smashed 77 runs off just 40 balls. He brought up his half-century in 27 deliveries and attacked both pace and spin with confidence.
India lost Abhishek Sharma for a duck early, but Kishan counterattacked immediately, taking on Shaheen Afridi, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed. Later, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma steadied the innings in the middle overs, ensuring the run rate stayed close to 9 to 10 per over. Despite a late burst from Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, who finished with four wickets, India managed to put up a challenging total.
In reply, Pakistan never really got going. Hardik Pandya gave India the perfect start with the ball, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah then removed Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha in quick succession to leave Pakistan reeling inside the Powerplay.
Axar Patel joined the attack by dismissing Pakistan captain Babar Azam cheaply. Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs while chasing 176. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each in a clinical bowling performance.
The defeat marked Pakistan’s second-worst start in a T20 World Cup match, as they lost four wickets early with very little on the board. Despite a brief fight from Shadab Khan and Usman Khan, the required run rate kept climbing, and the pressure proved too much.
With this win, India became the first team to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the tournament. They now have six points after earlier victories against the USA in Mumbai and Namibia in Delhi.
Former England bowler Alex Hartley on BBC Test Match Special said, “India adapted so well to the conditions. They are the best team in the world. Ishan Kishan was outstanding and really set the tone.”
BBC commentator Aatif Nawaz added, “It’s been a bit of a horror show for Pakistan and it all started in the powerplay. This is turning into an exhibition performance from India.”
