T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan no match for India; easy win over shaky rivals for Men in Blue

Image Credit: BCCI

In a high-voltage match that did not live up to its billing, at least in intensity, Surya Kumar Yadav’s India dismantled arch-rivals Pakistan by 61 runs to secure their spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.

On a sticky and slow Colombo pitch that challenged most of the batters from both sides, India’s clinical performance with the ball underscored their dominance, extending their T20 World Cup head-to-head record against Pakistan to a whooping 8-1.

Ishan Kishan’s "Out of the Box" Brilliance

After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, they struck gold immediately when Abhishek Sharma, who was returning from sickness, fell for a duck in the first over.

However, the early breakthrough did not stop India’s playing style as Ishan Kishan blasted out the Pakistani bowlers with a smashing style.

Even though Tilak Varma struggled to get going, Ishan looked to be batting on a different track as he scored 77 off 40 balls, which included 10 fours and 3 sixes.

Kishan’s blistering 77 accounted for nearly half of India's total.

He shared a crucial 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma (25), manoeuvring through Pakistan's spin-heavy strategy.

Despite a mid-innings wobble where Saim Ayub took two wickets in one over, a late surge from Shivam Dube (27) and Rinku Singh pushed India to a fighting 175/5.

The Run Chase: Pakistan’s Batting Collapse

Pakistan’s pursuit of chasing 176 never gained momentum. The Indian pace duo of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah tore through the top order, reducing Pakistan to a dismal 13/3 within the first four overs.

Hardik, who has the record of taking the most wickets in India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clashes, bowled a maiden-wicket over to start the second inning.

Jasprit Bumrah then outsmarted Saim Ayub with a brilliant yorker and followed that up with the wicket of Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha in his first over.

While Usman Khan offered lone resistance with 44, he found no support. The Indian spinners, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav, stifled the middle order. Pakistan was eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs as they accepted a shameful defeat in Colombo.

India, now with 3 wins in a row have qualified for the Super 8s. Meantime, Pakistan are still in contention to qualify from Group A, considering they win their final group stage match.