Ishan Kishan’s Record Blitz and Saim Ayub’s Triple-Strike Headline High-Octane India vs Pakistan Clash

A high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash delivered early fireworks and a sharp momentum swing as India finished on 175/7 in their T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage showdown at R. Premadasa Stadium on February 15.

After the toss, India was jolted in the opening over when Abhishek Sharma fell without scoring. That early breakthrough, however, only triggered an explosive counter from Ishan Kishan, who turned the powerplay into a boundary exhibition.Ishan Kishan surged to a 27-ball half-century, one of the fastest fifties recorded in an India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup meeting.

Kishan dominated the first six overs, contributing 42 runs in the powerplay alone, which is the highest individual powerplay score in this rivalry at a T20 World Cup. 

He struck 77 off 40 balls, laced with 10 fours and 3 sixes, before Saim Ayub bowled him. 

With India cruising past 120 and eyeing a total near 200, Saim Ayub flipped the script with a decisive spell. He removed Tilak Varma (25) and then dismissed Hardik Pandya for a first-ball duck, with Babar Azam completing the catch. Ayub’s three-wicket burst stalled the run flow and forced a reset through the middle overs.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav tried to rebuild with a measured 32 from 29 balls but struggled to accelerate late and fell in the 19th over to mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who kept things tight with 1/24. A late push from Shivam Dube, who finished unbeaten on 27 off 17, helped India recover momentum and close at 175/7.

For Pakistan national cricket team, the late overs fightback has kept the contest within reach.