Overview
- Ishan Kishan top-scored with 77 off 40 to lift India to 175/7 in Colombo, before Pakistan were bundled out for 114 in 18 overs.
- India’s attack shared the spoils, with Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy taking two wickets each after reducing Pakistan to 13-3.
- With three wins from three, India are through to the Super Eight, while Pakistan remain third in Group A and must beat Namibia on February 18, with a washout also taking them through.
- Pakistan’s tactics drew scrutiny for choosing to bowl first on a slowing surface and for delaying Usman Tariq’s introduction, though coach Mike Hesson argued Ishan Kishan’s innings was the decisive factor.
- The rivalry’s off-field edges resurfaced as Suryakumar Yadav again skipped a toss-time handshake and coverage recalled Pakistan’s short-lived boycott threat resolved after ICC talks, while former stars blasted PCB leadership; India’s T20 World Cup record over Pakistan improved to 8-1.