Colombo, February 15 Opener Ishan Kishan's blistering half-century helped India overcome a difficult pitch and post a competitive 175 for seven against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup match here on Sunday.
Kishan (77, 40b) shared an 87-run partnership with Tilak Varma, during which the latter's contribution was a modest 11, after India were asked to bat first.
The match, which had several dramatic weeks due to the combination of sports and politics, began in an unusual manner as Pakistan captain Salman Agha bowled himself on as an off-spinner and dismissed Abhishek Sharma.
The off-spin continued with Saim Ayub (3/25) in the powerplay, and it initially yielded the desired result.
Abhishek attempted a loft off Agha but could not clear Shaheen Shah Afridi at the edge of the circle in the final ball of the first over.
For the next 7.4 overs, Kishan transformed the Premadasa Stadium into his own little kingdom, with shots flying all around the vast corners of the venue.
It seemed as if Kishan was batting on a completely different pitch.
The left-hander began with an arrogant pull shot off pacer Afridi that thundered into the hoardings beyond the mid-wicket fence.
But that was just a prelude. The Jharkhand player soon dismantled a formidable group of Pakistan spinners.
Agha and Ayub were dismissed for four each, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was sent for a six and four in successive deliveries.
The four was a spectacular shot. Despite the slow nature of the pitch, Kishan imparted power and precision to the late cut with his flexible wrists, as the ball sped to the third man fence.
Later, leg-spinner Shadab Khan was also clobbered for a six as Kishan reached his fifty in just 27 balls, which is impressive considering the less than ideal conditions for shot-making and a skilled opposition that has already played a couple of matches in this part of the world.
Tilak did not struggle significantly, but did not look entirely comfortable either as Kishan took on the responsibility of pushing the score forward.
However, Kishan's attempt to give himself space and clear Ayub over mid-wicket had disastrous consequences.
Kishan missed the ball completely, and the bails were dislodged as Pakistani players breathed a sigh of relief.
From there, they clawed back bit by bit, and Ayub was at the forefront of their revival.
The offie dismissed Tilak (25, 24b) and Hardik Pandya (0) in consecutive deliveries as India suddenly slipped to 126 for four from 126 for two in the 15th over.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32, 28b) and Shivam Dube (27, 17b) could not fully flex their muscles but added 33 runs to take India past the 150-run mark and eventually to a total that will be challenging to chase.
Dube also handled mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who was kept back until the 11th over, and stole a couple of boundaries.
Tariq also had his moment when he dismissed Suryakumar in the 19th over.
However, a 15-run final over by Afridi in which Dube and Rinku Singh targeted him pushed India into the 170s.