In one of the most highly anticipated clashes of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, India convincingly defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in their Group A fixture at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 15 February 2026, booking their spot in the Super 8 stage with a perfect group record. After being asked to bat first, India posted a strong total of 175/7 in 20 overs, highlighted by a breathtaking 77 off 40 balls from Ishan Kishan, whose aggressive stroke-play on a slow, spin-friendly surface gave India the momentum they needed.
Middle-order contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (32) and late runs from Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh helped India reach a defendable score. Pakistan’s chase never got going as their top order crumbled under pressure, with only Usman Khan (44) offering resistance in what became a dominant bowling display by India. Hardik Pandya (2-16), Jasprit Bumrah (2-17), Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy ensured regular breakthroughs, restricting Pakistan to 114 all out in 18 overs.
The thorough team performance not only showcased India’s batting firepower and bowling precision but also extended their head-to-head edge over Pakistan in T20 World Cup history. The victory has sparked widespread celebrations among fans and positioned India strongly as they advance toward the knockout stages of the tournament, while Pakistan’s campaign faces mounting pressure ahead of their remaining fixtures.
