India continued their T20 World Cup dominance of Pakistan with a thumping 61-run victory in Colombo sealing the defending champions and tournament favourites’ spot in the Super 8s.
India – who rolled Pakistan for 114 in a chase of 176 – have won eight of their nine games against their rivals across all editions of this competition, and 16 from 17 if 50-over World Cups are also included, with the only blemish a 10-wicket drubbing in Dubai in 2021.
This latest fixture between the cricketing heavyweights only took place after Pakistan reversed their decision to boycott, having initially said they would not play in response to the ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh from the event for refusing to travel to India.
In the end, the result was familiar.
India opener Ishan Kishan hit 10 fours and three sixes in his knock of 77 from 40 balls
India posted 175-7 after losing the toss – at which there were no captains’ handshakes, just like in last year’s Asia Cup – as Ishan Kishan pumped 77 from 40 balls at the top of the order.
Pakistan, for whom spinner Saim Ayub bagged 3-25 and came ever so close to a hat-trick in the 15th over, suffered a dreadful start to the chase, plummeting to 13-3 in two overs with Saim (6) pinned lbw by Jasprit Bumrah (2-17) one ball after smoking a six.
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Pakistan spinner Saim Ayub was so close to claiming a World Cup hat-trick against India in Colombo
Pakistan subsided in 18 overs in reply amid a blizzard of rash shots as they suffered a first loss of the World Cup after wins over Netherlands and USA, although they will book a Super 8s spot if they avoid an upset against Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday (9.30am UK).
India have three victories from as many matches after labouring past USA and thrashing Namibia, with Suryakumar Yadav’s men to conclude round one against Netherlands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (1.30pm UK).
More to follow…
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