A sensational 77 from Ishan Kishan powered India to a commanding victory over Pakistan and into the Super Eights, extending their dominant head to head record in T20 World Cups to 8-1.
On a slow, spin friendly surface at R Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan opted to bowl first and relied heavily on spin, sending down 18 overs of it after inserting India. The pitch proved tacky and difficult for strokeplay, but Kishan rose above the conditions with a brilliant 77 from 40 balls that shaped the contest.
The scale of his effort was underlined by the rest of the innings. Outside of Kishan, India’s total including extras amounted to only 98 from 80 balls, a return far more reflective of the surface. Pakistan’s chase followed a similar pattern, with only Usman Khan, who made 44 from 34, able to score fluently as they fell well short.
Pakistan’s decision to open with offspin against two left handed openers made sense given the conditions, but the use of Salman Agha rather than Saim Ayub came as a surprise. The lack of pace and turn were evident immediately and Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck, managing only a single run in the first over.
Kishan quickly countered. Even with the new ball, he used his quick hands and low stance to manipulate the spinners, pulling Shaheen Shah Afridi for six and striking Agha against the turn. He attacked Pakistan’s main spinner Abrar Ahmed as well, sweeping his first ball for six to prevent him settling.
Despite India being 1 for 1 early, Kishan dominated the powerplay and lifted the score to 52 for 1. He continued to find boundaries after the field spread, steering and driving the spinners with confidence. His half century came from just 27 balls as he maintained control of the tempo.
Pakistan’s use of Shadab Khan’s legspin against two left handers in the eighth over proved costly, yielding 17 runs. By the time Ayub dismissed Kishan shortly after a reverse pull for four, the opener had scored 77 of India’s 88 runs in 8.4 overs, effectively deciding the match.
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma then consolidated, adding 38 from 33 deliveries and ensuring India did not lose their advantage. A brief burst of wickets from Ayub, who removed Tilak, Hardik Pandya and nearly bowled Shivam Dube, showed the pitch still offered assistance, but India remained well ahead.
Late contributions from Dube and Rinku Singh, who added 27 from 17 and 11 from four respectively, gave India a final push. Afridi, Abrar and Shadab conceded 86 runs in six overs between them, expensive returns given the conditions.
India’s bowlers quickly vindicated Kishan’s effort. Hardik Pandya struck early with a disciplined spell that allowed no driving length, while Jasprit Bumrah followed a maiden with wickets for Ayub and Agha. Babar Azam’s dismissal to Axar Patel left Pakistan 34 for 4 inside five overs and effectively ended the contest.
Usman Khan provided resistance with a lively 44, taking on Pandya and Axar with a flurry of boundaries. However, Axar eventually removed him after firing one in as he advanced, with Kishan completing the catch. From there only formalities remained as India sealed their biggest T20I win over Pakistan and booked their place in the Super 8s.
