India delivered a commanding performance against Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash, registering a comprehensive 61-run victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India set a competitive target of 176 before bowling Pakistan out for just 114 in 18 overs.
Early collapse derails Pakistan
Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum as they slumped to 34/4, courtesy early breakthroughs from Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel. Usman Khan’s 44 off 34 balls offered brief resistance, but the Indian bowling unit maintained relentless pressure.
Axar Patel emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 2/29 in four overs. Hardik (2/16), Bumrah (2/17) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17) also chipped in to dismantle Pakistan’s batting line-up.
Earlier, a fluent half-century by Ishan Kishan anchored India’s innings, helping the team post 176.
India dominate head-to-head
With this victory, India now lead Pakistan 8-1 in T20 World Cup head-to-head encounters. The win also propelled India into the Super 8 stage with three consecutive victories in Group A.
Speaking after the match, Axar Patel downplayed the rivalry narrative. “We are not thinking about rivalry. We treat it as just another match and focus on cricket,” he said.
Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, now sit third in the group standings, while India top the table.
The emphatic result sparked intense reactions online, including a viral video of a frustrated fan smashing his television after Pakistan’s defeat — underlining the enduring emotional intensity of this high-profile contest.
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