Colombo, February 15 India's fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, supported by spinner Axar Patel, put relentless pressure on Pakistan, leaving them struggling at 94 for 7 after 15 overs in a T20 World Cup match here on Sunday.
Pandya initiated the attack in the first over after India had posted 175 for 7, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah then intensified the pressure with a double strike in the next over, removing Saim Ayub (6) and captain Salman Agha (4), leaving Pakistan reeling at 13 for 3 after just two overs.
Axar Patel (2/29) further compounded Pakistan's problems by clean bowling Babar Azam (5) and later dismissing the well-set batsman Usman Khan (44 off 34 balls), as the innings continued to suffer setback after setback.
Usman and Shadab Khan had sparked a brief resurgence with a 39-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but Usman's dismissal triggered yet another collapse in the Pakistan innings.
Faheem Ashraf (8 not out) and Shaheen Afridi (6 not out) were at the crease.
Earlier, opener Ishan Kishan's explosive 40-ball 77 provided India with the ideal launchpad to post a competitive total.
