For all the hype that accompanies an India–Pakistan encounter, the latest chapter in the rivalry proved emphatically one-sided. At the R Premadasa Stadium on 15 February 2026, India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in their T20 World Cup group-stage match, booking their place in the Super Eight with a game to spare.
Set 176 to win, Pakistan were bundled out for 114 with 12 balls remaining. The defeat leaves them third in the group on four points, behind the United States, while India top the table with a maximum six from three matches. The head-to-head record between the sides in T20 World Cups now reads 8–1 in India’s favour.
Pakistan’s chase unravelled almost immediately. Hardik Pandya removed Sahibzada Farhan in the opening over, before Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in his first, dismissing Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha. Babar Azam fell before the end of the powerplay, and at four wickets down early, the contest was effectively decided.
Usman Khan (44) and Shadab Khan (14) offered brief resistance, while Shaheen Shah Afridi added 23, but no other batter reached double figures.
Earlier, Pakistan had opted for an unusual strategy, bowling spin for 18 of the 20 overs. Only two overs were delivered by Shaheen. The tactic briefly checked India’s progress, with Saim Ayub claiming two key middle-order wickets and Usman returning 1 for 24, including Suryakumar Yadav.
India’s innings was built around Ishan Kishan’s fluent 77 from 40 balls, featuring 10 fours and three sixes. After Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck, Kishan and Tilak Varma (24) steadied the innings before adding impetus. India eventually closed on 175 for 7 — a total that proved far beyond Pakistan’s reach.
