Metro53 - Colombo (Web Desk): In a Group match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the India national cricket team defeated the Pakistan national cricket team by 61 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to field first. Notably, during the toss, captains of both teams did not shake hands, which drew attention.
India Innings: Solid Total of 175 Runs
India posted a competitive total of 175 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for zero in the very first over.
Ishan Kishan played a brilliant knock of 77 runs off 40 balls before being bowled by Saim Ayub.
In the 15th over, Tilak Varma was dismissed for 25 runs at a team total of 126. On the very next delivery, Hardik Pandya returned to the pavilion without scoring. The fifth wicket fell at 159 runs when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 32 runs. Other contributors included Shivam Dube with 27 runs, while Axar Patel was out for a duck.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub picked up 3 wickets, while Usman Tariq, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket each. One Indian batter was run out.
Pakistan Innings: Collapse Under Pressure
Chasing a target of 176 runs, Pakistan’s batting lineup failed to deliver and was bowled out for just 114 runs in 18 overs, resulting in a comprehensive 61-run defeat.
Playing XIs
Pakistan fielded an unchanged side, featuring Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq.
