India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard – India Win by 61 Runs | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard from the 27th Match, Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be remembered as a dominant Indian performance. India defeated Pakistan by a massive 61 runs at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
After being put into bat by Pakistan captain Salman Agha, India posted a competitive 175/7 in 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan collapsed under scoreboard pressure and were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
This comprehensive match report covers the full India vs Pakistan match scorecard, key performances, turning points, partnerships, bowling analysis, and what this result means for Group A.
Match Overview – IND vs PAK, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Match: India vs Pakistan, 27th Match, Group A
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium
- Toss: Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl
- Result: India won by 61 runs
India Innings – 175/7 (20 Overs)
India’s innings was built around a breathtaking knock from wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who played one of the finest T20 World Cup innings under pressure.
Powerplay Phase (0.1–6 Overs)
India scored 52 runs in the powerplay but lost an early wicket:
- Abhishek Sharma departed for 0 (4), caught off Salman Agha.
- Pakistan struck early, but Kishan counter-attacked immediately.
Kishan’s aggressive strokeplay ensured India never fell behind the required momentum.
Ishan Kishan’s Match-Defining Knock – 77 (40)
Ishan Kishan smashed:
- 77 runs off 40 balls
- 10 fours
- 3 sixes
- Strike Rate: 192.50
He dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack, especially targeting Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen Afridi during the middle overs.
His 88-run partnership with Tilak Varma laid the foundation for India’s competitive total.
Middle Overs Stability – Tilak & SKY
Tilak Varma contributed 25 (24), anchoring one end, while captain Suryakumar Yadav added 32 (29).
Although neither converted starts into big scores, they rotated strike effectively and kept the scoreboard ticking.
However, Pakistan made a brief comeback around the 14th over:
- Tilak Varma lbw b Saim Ayub
- Hardik Pandya out first ball
- India slipped from 126/2 to 126/4
At that stage, Pakistan sensed an opportunity.
Death Overs Acceleration – Dube & Rinku Finish Strong
Shivam Dube played a crucial cameo:
- 27 off 17 balls
- 3 fours, 1 six
Rinku Singh then provided a final flourish:
- 11* off 4 balls
- Strike rate: 275
India scored 49 runs in the last five overs, pushing the total to 175/7 — a total well above par on a slightly two-paced Colombo surface.
Pakistan Bowling Highlights
Saim Ayub – Surprise Package
Saim Ayub was Pakistan’s best bowler:
- 4 overs
- 25 runs
- 3 wickets
He dismissed Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya.
Usman Tariq – Economical Spell
Usman Tariq bowled tightly:
- 4 overs
- 24 runs
- 1 wicket
Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed were expensive, conceding 31 and 38 respectively.
Pakistan Innings – 114 All Out (18 Overs)
Chasing 176 in a high-pressure India vs Pakistan World Cup match is never easy. And Pakistan’s top order collapsed dramatically.
Early Collapse – Bumrah Strikes Twice
Jasprit Bumrah removed:
- Saim Ayub (6 off 2)
- Salman Agha (4 off 4)
Pakistan were 13/3 inside 2 overs.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya dismissed Sahibzada Farhan for 0.
Axar Patel Removes Babar Azam
The biggest wicket came when Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam for just 5 (7).
Pakistan were reduced to 34/4.
At this stage, the required run rate climbed above 10, and scoreboard pressure mounted.
Usman Khan Fights Alone – 44 (34)
Wicketkeeper Usman Khan played a fighting knock:
- 44 runs off 34 balls
- 6 fours, 1 six
He tried to rebuild with Shadab Khan, but regular wickets at the other end derailed Pakistan’s chase.
Spin Strangles Pakistan
The trio of:
- Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17)
- Kuldeep Yadav (1/14)
- Axar Patel (2/29)
completely controlled the middle overs.
Pakistan went from 73/5 to 97/9, losing momentum entirely.
Hardik Pandya Finishes It
Hardik Pandya returned to dismiss Usman Tariq and finished with:
- 3 overs
- 16 runs
- 2 wickets
Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs.
Key Turning Points in India vs Pakistan Match
1️⃣ Ishan Kishan’s Counterattack After Early Wicket
India could have struggled after Abhishek Sharma’s early dismissal. Kishan’s fearless batting flipped the momentum.
2️⃣ Saim Ayub’s Double Strike
Pakistan briefly fought back at 126/4.
3️⃣ Bumrah’s Early Double Blow
Removing Saim Ayub and Salman Agha killed Pakistan’s chase instantly.
4️⃣ Babar Azam’s Dismissal
Once Babar fell cheaply, Pakistan had no anchor.
Full Match Summary – India vs Pakistan Scorecard
India – 175/7 (20 Overs)
Top Scorer: Ishan Kishan – 77 (40)
Best Bowler (PAK): Saim Ayub – 3/25
Pakistan – 114 All Out (18 Overs)
Top Scorer: Usman Khan – 44 (34)
Best Bowler (IND): Bumrah 2/17, Axar 2/29, Varun 2/17
Result: India won by 61 runs
Tactical Analysis
Why India Won
✔ Strong powerplay recovery
✔ Effective use of spin in middle overs
✔ Early breakthroughs with new ball
✔ Scoreboard pressure in knockout-style game
Why Pakistan Lost
✘ Top-order collapse
✘ Lack of partnerships
✘ Expensive death overs bowling
✘ Inability to handle spin
Impact on Group A – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
This 61-run victory gives India a significant net run rate boost in Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
India now strengthen their semi-final chances, while Pakistan must win upcoming matches to stay in contention.
Player of the Match Contender
Without doubt, Ishan Kishan is the Player of the Match favorite for his match-defining 77.
His innings shifted pressure onto Pakistan and allowed India to dictate terms.
Final Thoughts – India vs Pakistan Rivalry Continues
The India National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard once again highlights the intensity of cricket’s greatest rivalry.
Under lights in Colombo, India delivered a clinical performance — dominating with both bat and ball.
From Ishan Kishan’s explosive batting to Bumrah’s lethal spell and India’s spin chokehold, this was a complete team performance.
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 progresses, this result could prove decisive in shaping the semi-final race.