Colombo, February 15 Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, along with spinner Axar Patel, restricted Pakistan's scoring, leaving them struggling at 71 for 4 after 10 overs in the high-stakes T20 World Cup clash between the arch-rivals here on Sunday.
After posting 175 for 7, India struck back with intensity as Pandya dismissed Sahibzada Farhan for a duck off the fourth ball of the opening over. Jasprit Bumrah followed up with a double strike in the next over, removing Saim Ayub (6) and captain Salman Agha (4) to leave Pakistan reeling at 13 for 3 after just two overs.
Axar Patel compounded Pakistan's woes in the fifth over, clean bowling Babar Azam (5) with the fifth delivery to leave them in dire straits. Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan (43 not out) and Shadab Khan (12 not out) were at the crease after weathering a testing spell, with Pakistan bringing up their half-century off the first ball of the eighth over.
The duo had put on a 37-run stand for the fifth wicket by the end of the 10th over, steadying the innings after the early collapse.
Earlier, opener Ishan Kishan's explosive 40-ball 77 provided India the ideal launchpad to post a competitive total.
