T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs PAK: Ishan Kishan dominates Pakistan’s much-hyped spin attack as India seal Super 8 qualification with authority.
Brief Scores: India 175/7 (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32, Saim Ayub 3/25) beat Pakistan 114 (Usman Khan 44, Varun Chakravarthy 2/17, Jasprit Bumrah 2/17) by 61 runs.
In what was billed as the “Greatest Rivalry,” the India-Pakistan clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium failed to live up to expectations. It ultimately turned into a one-sided affair, with India sealing a convincing 61-run victory.
Earlier in the day, Ishan Kishan smashed a stunning 40-ball 77, and his knock, along with valuable contributions from skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, propelled India to 175/7. On a slow turner, it was always going to be a tall task, and Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114.
Talking Point: Ishan Kishan’s whirlwind innings
There are no prizes for guessing the game-changer; it was undeniably India’s Ishan Kishan. The left-hander, who has been in great hitting form in the lead-up to the tournament, took the attack to the opposition from the word go. Despite losing Abhishek Sharma early at the other end, Kishan took on each of Pakistan’s spinners, including their lead spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Thanks to his authoritative innings, India added 52 in the first six overs. During the time of his dismissal, India’s total was 88, of which Ishan Kishan made 77. So he pretty much kept India on the ascendancy and had he stayed longer, they would have posted an even bigger total.
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Ishan Kishan goes berserk in powerplay, India lodge 175/7
In a drama-filled, high-octane setting, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha won the toss and opted to field first. On a surface that looked dry from the outset and aided spin to a large extent, India got off to the worst possible start. Dashing opener Abhishek Sharma succumbed to the pressure of the big occasion, getting out in the first over to the Pakistan skipper’s part-time off-spin.
From there on, it was Ishan Kishan’s show. The left-hander made full use of the fielding restrictions, scoring 42 of India’s 52 runs in the powerplay. He set the tone with a six off Shaheen Afridi over deep square leg and never looked back, even taking on Pakistan’s standout bowler on the day, Saim Ayub. India added another 40 runs in the four overs after the powerplay, but against the run of play, Kishan departed after a splendid 40-ball 77.
It was a struggle in the middle overs as Pakistan’s spinners pulled things back. Between overs 11 and 15, India managed only 35 runs, losing Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya off successive deliveries.
Just when it seemed like Pakistan were finding their way back into the contest, India responded with a couple of productive overs at the death. The final over, bowled by Shaheen, proved particularly expensive as India plundered 16 runs to push the total to 175. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh provided crucial cameos at the end, even though Usman Tariq conceded just nine runs in his last two overs.
Pakistan lost four wickets in power play, resulting in one-sided defeat
Pakistan, chasing what would be an above-par score on this Colombo surface, lost the in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan for a four-ball duck. In the next over, Bumrah snapped two wickets, including that of the dangerous Saim Ayub. Axar Patel, the first India spinner on display, castled Babar Azam, and Pakistan were reduced to 38/4 in the powerplay.
It was always going to be difficult for Pakistan, but the pair of Shadab Khan and Usman Khan put on a fight, adding 39 runs for the fifth wicket. However, the floodgates opened once again as Pakistan folded for 114.
Read More: Comparative Analysis: Varun Chakravarthy vs Abrar Ahmed – Battle of craft & guile
Statistical highlights from IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash
- Abhishek Sharma registered his fifth T20I duck today. Notably, four of those have come in 2026
- Ishan Kishan brought up India’s seventh fifty-plus T20I score against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history
- Ishan Kishan registered India’s third-highest individual T20I score (77) against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history
- Abrar Ahmed bowled his second-costliest spell (3+ overs) in his T20I career today.
- 175 is India’s highest Team total against Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cups.
- Hardik Pandya (8) now has the most wickets for India in a T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. Jasprit Bumrah is the second with 6 wickets.
Points table scenario and what’s to come
As a result of their latest win over Pakistan, India will officially qualify for the Super Eight stages of the T20 World Cup 2026. They will play their final group game against the Netherlands on February 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
On the other hand, this heavy defeat means that Pakistan have moved below USA in terms of NRR. They will now face Namibia in a must-win match on the same day at the SSC Colombo.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: India struggling to maximise batting resources over the course of 20 overs
Top Twitter Reactions from IND vs PAK, Group A, Colombo, T20 World Cup 2026
Incredible striking by pocket rocket @ishankishan51 👏 175 is a really good total on a tricky pitch. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/bijD4Oln8f
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2026
That innings by Ishan Kishan was extraordinary for its freedom, its bravado and skill. And it forced the Pakistan captain to make some strange decisions. One of the best he has played
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2026
Ishan Kishan has taken the surprise ploy of Pakistan so well. Brilliant 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 15, 2026
Now I believe that the one Pakistan win in the 1-8 scoreline against India was also a fluke. Honestly.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 15, 2026
It’s a good thing in Ishan Kishen India had one batter who had come off a heavy dose of domestic cricket.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 15, 2026
To be proficient against spin playing a lot of local cricket is the only solution. No short cuts there.
The best image from the India Pak game so far has not been Ishan's incandescent batting, though it was special. It was that shot of an Indian and Pakistani fan, gripping hands and smiling while enjoying a great game.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 15, 2026
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