India vs Pakistan: Ishan and Bowlers Secure Super 8 Spot as India Rout Pakistan in Colombo

India extended their undisputed dominance over arch-rivals Pakistan with a dominant 61-run victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This India vs Pakistan match was defined by a blistering half-century from Ishan Kishan and a relentless bowling display that dismantled the Pakistani chase in just 18 overs.

After choosing to bat first, Pakistan failed to restrict India to a low total. However, in the very first over, India faced an immediate setback when opener Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck to Salman Ali Agha. 

But Ishan Kishan smashed a record-breaking 77 off 40 balls. He scored 50 in just 27 deliveries, the fastest by any batter in the history of India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup fixtures.

His 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma (25) anchored the innings before Saim Ayub (3/25) triggered a middle-order wobble. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed a gritty 32, but it was a late flurry from Shivam Dube (27) and Rinku Singh that propelled India to a competitive 175/7.

Pakistan’s Chase Crumbles Early

The second half of the match belonged entirely to the Indian bowlers. Hardik Pandya set the tone with a wicket-maiden opening over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan. Jasprit Bumrah quickly followed suit, removing Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha in the second over to leave Pakistan reeling at 13/3.

Usman Khan offered the only sustained resistance with a valiant 44, but the climbing required rate and constant wickets proved insurmountable. 

Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav tightened the screws in the middle overs, with Varun Chakaravarthy nearly claiming a hat-trick after taking two wickets in two balls.

Pakistan’s tail showed brief defiance, including a 17-run stand for the final wicket, but the inevitable conclusion arrived in the 18th over. 

Hardik Pandya returned to clean up Usman Tariq, bowling Pakistan out for 114.