India v Pakistan: T20 World Cup — India 92-2 at the halfway mark in Colombo
India posted 92 for 2 after 10 overs in a pulsating T20 World Cup contest against Pakistan in Colombo. A blistering start from Ishan Kishan, followed by a crucial middle-overs breakthrough for Pakistan, has set up a tight, tactical second half as both sides chase control in a rivalry fixture.
Kishan’s onslaught and early momentum
Ishan Kishan set the tone with aggressive strokeplay from the outset, his timing and placement carving gaps all around the park. He dispatched the first over from Shaheen with a towering six over square leg and followed it with a string of crisp boundaries, including a classic lofted cover drive and an audacious sweep for six over midwicket. Kishan’s footwork and soft hands produced a fluent fifty inside the powerplay as India seized the initiative.
India’s powerplay closed with the scoreboard in their favour, Kishan thriving against both pace and spin. He peppered the offside with late cuts and used the sweep effectively when spinners came into the attack, plundering 17 off one spin over and leaving Pakistan searching for answers. The platform allowed India to reach a healthy position by the halfway mark, but the contest remained very much alive.
Pakistan claw back with breakthroughs and tidy spin
Pakistan struck at a vital moment when Kishan, attempting to release pressure with a sweep, was skittled by a turning delivery that beat the edge and uprooted the stumps. That wicket stemmed India’s momentum and gave Pakistan renewed energy. Earlier, an early gamble paid off when a new-ball burst claimed a top-order batter in the first over, underscoring Pakistan’s intent to make early inroads.
Spin played a central role for Pakistan. Abrar and Shadab tested Kishan and the Indian middle order with probing lines, while a surprise turn from a part-time option helped produce the decisive dismissal. Mohammad Nawaz then produced a near-perfect over to stem the flow — six deliveries yielding just three singles and tightening the screws as India looked to accelerate. Fast bowlers also had their moments; a busy second over from the pace spearhead leaked 15 but stirred the crowd and kept scoreboard pressure high.
With Tilak Varma promoted to first drop after a change in India’s setup, the visitors lost a wicket early but recovered through Kishan’s counter-attacking approach. By the end of the tenth over India were 92 for 2, with the incoming batsmen looking to rebuild while keeping the tempo ticking.
What the second half could decide
The match now hinges on a few critical battles. India will want to replace the lost momentum quickly and post a total that forces Pakistan to take risks. A late acceleration from the likes of the middle-order hitters will be crucial, and rotating strike against Pakistan’s spinners will remain a priority.
For Pakistan, the plan is clear: extract continued spin and keep probing lengths to force mistakes. If the bowlers can add one or two more wickets in the middle overs and keep the run rate in check, they will have a strong chance of defending on this surface. Fielding and death-over execution will likely decide the fixture — margins are small in high-pressure rivalry games, and nerves can shape outcomes as much as skill.
The second half promises tactical chess as both captains weigh aggression against control. Expect attacking fields, inventive bowling changes and a sprint to the finish as this marquee tie heads into its decisive phase.
