Colombo: India crushed Pakistan by 61 runs in a crucial Group A clash of the Men’s T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, as Pakistan could manage to get only 114 runs while chasing the target of 175.
With this win, India remained on the top in the Group with 6 points.
Earlier, India finished with 175/7 in their 20 overs against Pakistan. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was the standout performer, blazing 77 off 40 balls with 10 fours and three sixes, while Saim Ayub’s crafty spell of 3-25 kept Pakistan firmly in the contest.
Kishan’s pyrotechnics at the top gave India the cushion to play within themselves through the middle overs. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav added 57 off 53 balls collectively, but their subdued approach reflected India’s assessment that the surface was not conducive to a 200-plus score, especially with Pakistan bowling 18 overs of spin.
The innings was a tale of two halves: Kishan’s audacious strokeplay in the first 10 overs, followed by Pakistan’s spinners tightening the screws. The grip and turn on offer from the slow pitch suggests batting would not be straightforward, and the final overs saw India lose momentum as Pakistan chipped away with regular wickets.
Whether 175 proves sufficient remains to be seen as on a surface where spin has already dictated terms, Pakistan will need to bat with discipline and intent to complete the chase against a formidable Indian spin bowling line-up.
India’s chase began on a nervy note as fit-again Abhishek Sharma miscued a chip to off Salman Ali Agha’s off-spin and departed for a duck. Kishan, however, wasted little time in asserting himself as he dispatched Shaheen Afridi over square leg for six. A streaky inside edge brought him another boundary, while Tilak Varma opened his account with an edge going past slip for four, as 15 runs came off second over.
Kishan greeted Salman with a lofted four over mid-on, before punishing a short ball from Saim Ayub over square leg for another boundary. Though a couple of deliveries stopped in the pitch, Kishan maintained his tempo by welcoming Abrar Ahmed with a towering six behind square before cutting him through cover for four.
India’s measured approach through the middle overs was disrupted soon after the drinks break as Ayub returned to trap Varma lbw, after being beaten while attempting a sweep. One brought two for Pakistan as Hardik Pandya, promoted to accelerate, miscued a carrom ball and holed out to long-off for a golden duck.
