New Delhi, February 15 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the nation in showering praise and congratulatory messages after India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in the 27th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.
Ishan Kishan was the standout performer, scoring 77 off 40 balls with 10 fours and three sixes, while Saim Ayub's clever spell of 3-25 kept Pakistan in the contest. However, the Indian bowlers turned the match around by bowling Pakistan out for 114 in 18 overs, securing a comfortable win for India.
"Well played #TeamIndia. While formats, venues, and dates may change, the result of #IndvsPak remains consistent. Congratulations to the entire team," Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla congratulated Team India on X, formerly Twitter, "What a way to make it 8-1 in the T20 World Cups against Pakistan! Sensational batting by Ishan Kishan, and excellent bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Varun Chakravarthy. A complete team effort. Jai Hind!"
Kishan's brilliant performance at the top gave India the advantage to play strategically in the middle overs. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav added 57 off 53 balls collectively to help India set a target of 176.
Pakistan's batting collapse began from the first over as Hardik Pandya dismissed Shahibzada Farhan in the opening over with a well-pitched delivery.
Jasprit Bumrah then followed up with two wickets in his opening over. After being hit for a six in the first ball, Bumrah bounced back with a deceptive inswinging yorker to get rid of Ayub, and then dismissed captain Salman Agha on the last ball.
Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan was the lone warrior for Pakistan, scoring 44 and stitching a partnership with Babar Azam for 21 runs, and then with Shadab Khan for 39 runs.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and MP, Piyush Goyal, posted, “Team India dominated the field like true Dhurandhars! A brilliant performance, seamless teamwork, and a powerful finish. Congratulations to Team India on a fantastic victory over Pakistan. Proud of our champions! My best wishes for the upcoming matches at #T20WorldCup2026.”
The middle order completely collapsed for Pakistan as India took control. Axar Patel dismissed Azam (5) and then Khan with a well-controlled delivery. Kuldeep Yadav got rid of Muhammad Nawaz as Tilak Varma, bowling for the first time in the tournament, dismissed all-rounder Shadab Khan. The lower order completely collapsed as Pakistan lost the last five wickets for mere 41 runs, losing the match by 61 runs.
For Pakistan, this was another reminder of their batting frailties in high-pressure situations. Their total of 114 was their third-lowest in T20 World Cup history, behind the 82 against West Indies in 2014 and 113 against India in 2024. India, meanwhile, will take heart from Kishan's performance, providing the platform for the win, while the bowlers executed their plans with precision.
