Ruthless India outclass Pakistan to reach Super Eights

Ishan Kishan proved to be the difference-maker as defending champions India outclassed archrivals Pakistan by 61 runs to cruise into the Super 8 stages of the 2026 T20 World Cup. On a spin-friendly surface, Kishan hammered a stunning 40-ball 77 to power India to 175/7. In reply, Pakistan's top four combined for only 15 runs before India's spinners sealed the win with two overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma's return to India's XI was short-lived as he was caught off Salman Agha in the opening over. However, that was Pakistan's only success in the PowerPlay, which was dominated by Kishan. He launched Shaheen Afridi's first ball for a massive six and, alongside Tilak Varma, accumulated boundaries. Kishan then accelerated, taking on Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub while Varma played a supporting role.

Kishan continued to dismantle Pakistan's spin-heavy attack. He hit Abrar for three consecutive boundaries to reach his half-century, and plundered 17 runs off Shadab Khan's first over with another six and a four. The carnage ended when Ayub bowled a slower delivery that Kishan missed, crashing into the stumps. His dismissal significantly slowed India's scoring rate. From 89/2 after 9 overs, India managed only 38 runs in the next six.

Ayub, extracting sharp turn, struck twice in two balls in the 15th over to peg India back. Suryakumar Yadav fought hard with 32 off 29 balls amidst the spin barrage. Usman Tariq bowled a tidy spell and dismissed the Indian skipper in the penultimate over, but Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh struck timely boundaries to push India past 170.

Pakistan needed a strong start or dew assistance to mount a challenge. Instead, Hardik Pandya struck in the first over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan. After a wicket-maiden, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a searing yorker to trap Ayub lbw, and Agha fell for 4. Pakistan were 13/3 after just two overs.

With spin yet to be introduced, Pakistan's task was daunting. Usman Khan counter-attacked with a flurry of boundaries, but Axar Patel clean bowled Babar Azam to deepen the crisis. India's spinners—Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar—maintained relentless pressure, leading to Pakistan's capitulation.

Usman Khan, their top scorer with 44, was stumped off Axar. Mohammad Nawaz holed out to Dube at deep midwicket, and Tilak Varma took a wicket with his first ball when Shadab mistimed to long-on. Chakaravarthy returned to take two wickets in two deliveries, and Hardik Pandya applied the finishing touch in the 18th over. With this loss, Pakistan must beat Namibia in their final group game to qualify.

Brief scores: India 175/7 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 77, Suryakumar Yadav 32; Saim Ayub 3/25) beat Pakistan 114 in 18 overs (Usman Khan 44; Hardik Pandya 2/16, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/17) by 61 runs.