India beat Pakistan by 61 runs to seal Super 8s spot in Colombo
India produced a dominant all-round display to defeat Pakistan by 61 runs and secure top spot in Group A at the ICC T20 World Cup. The match took place after Pakistan's government lifted a boycott order, and the result leaves India unbeaten in three games while Pakistan remain on course for the Super 8s but must win their final group match on Wednesday (ET).
Top-order punch and a controlled finish
India posted 175 for 7 after a bright start from the opening batsman set the tone. Ishan Kishan led the way with a commanding 77, his aggressive strokeplay giving India the momentum in the powerplay and beyond. Contributions down the order ensured the visitors were able to extract value from the middle overs and set a challenging total on a surface that offered something for both batters and bowlers.
Support came from other members of the batting line-up, who rotated strike well and punished loose deliveries. The partnership phases were measured, with India accelerating late to put pressure back on the chase. A three-wicket haul from Saim provided key late-innings breakthroughs that kept Pakistan behind the required run rate.
Clinical bowling cuts chase short
Chasing 176, Pakistan faltered under disciplined Indian bowling and a sharp fielding display. The visitors bowled Pakistan out for 114, with Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy each taking two wickets. The collective effort saw regular breakthroughs and few loose overs, as Pakistan failed to build substantial partnerships.
Early dismissals put Pakistan on the back foot and despite a fight from middle-order batters, the required rate climbed steadily. A number of near-misses in the field briefly allowed resistance, but India tightened the screws soon after. A crucial spell from the seamers removed set players, and the wrist-spinners and spinners were economical while chipping in with vital wickets during the middle overs.
At 106 for 9 in the 17th over, Pakistan’s chase had all but dried up. A mixture of disciplined line and length, plus smart variations, prevented any late flourish and ensured India closed out the win with authority.
Implications for Group A and what comes next
India finish the day with a perfect record in Group A, three wins from three, and advance to the Super 8s. Pakistan sit second in the group and are well placed to progress, but their path requires a win in the final group fixture against Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Wednesday (ET).
Former England bowler Alex Hartley praised India’s adaptability to the conditions and singled out the top-order batter for setting the tone. He called the performance "comfortable and clinical, " adding that bowlers and fielders executed plans well to restrict Pakistan's scoring options.
The result also raises questions about Pakistan’s batting depth in T20 conditions, where a couple of early losses in the powerplay quickly turned the chase into damage control. Team management will have to reassess combinations and intent ahead of the must-win match versus Namibia.
For India, the win is a confidence booster ahead of the Super 8s. The balance between explosive batting, a versatile spin attack and incisive pace bowling gives them multiple options in different conditions. Pakistan, meanwhile, will need a response in their final group game to keep their tournament hopes fully alive.
