India secured a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, thanks to Ishan Kishan's explosive 77-run innings. The match, held at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, saw India post 176 for seven wickets before restricting Pakistan to 114. Kishan was awarded Player of the Match for his performance.
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan unfolded at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15, 2026. India, invited to bat first, reached 176 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Ishan Kishan played a pivotal role, scoring 77 runs off 40 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
Kishan later commented on the challenging conditions: "The pitch was not easy at the start and he focused on keeping his approach simple." He added that the team targeted a score of around 160-170 runs, which they believed would be competitive. Kishan also noted the significance of the rivalry, stating that India vs Pakistan clashes are special and that the win would boost the team's confidence in the tournament.
Pakistan's chase faltered early, with the team losing four wickets for just 34 runs. Despite a brief partnership, they could not recover against India's bowling. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy took key wickets, bowling Pakistan out for 114 in 18 overs.
This victory marks a strong start for India in the tournament, highlighting their batting depth and bowling discipline.
