Defending champions India continued their dominance over arch-rivals Pakistan with a clinical 61-run victory in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, February 15. Chasing a target of 176, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, folding for just 114 runs in 18 overs.
The star of the night was opener Ishan Kishan, who earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award for a blistering 77 off 40 balls. Following an early setback, Kishan’s counter-attack allowed India to post a commanding 175/7. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, sporting a wide grin during the post-match presentation, dedicated the win to the nation. “This is for India. We played the same brand of cricket we wanted to play,” he remarked, praising Kishan for taking responsibility after an early wicket.
On the other hand, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha urged his team to focus on the “big picture” despite the heavy defeat. With this loss, Pakistan must now beat Namibia in their final group game to qualify for the Super Eight stage. Interestingly, the high-tension atmosphere was evident before the first ball was bowled, as both captains avoided eye contact and refrained from shaking hands during the toss—a trend that has continued amid recent diplomatic tensions. India remains undefeated and will face the Netherlands in their next match on Wednesday. (DD News)
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