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India Crushes Pakistan by 61 Runs in Colombo, Kishan’s 77 Leads Victory

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India Secures 61‑Run Victory Over Pakistan India beat Pakistan by 61 runs in the Group A match of the 2026 T20 World Cup at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on 15 February 2026, clinching a dominant win that underscored the side’s superiority [2][1]. Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 77 off 40 balls anchored the Indian innings, propelling the total to a formidable score [2][1]. Pakistan’s chase faltered early, and they could not recover despite a brief partnership, falling well short of the target [2][1].

India’s Batting and Bowling Outclass Pakistan’s Attack Kishan’s explosive knock set the tone, while India’s bowlers restricted Pakistan to a low total; spinner Varun Chakaravarthy claimed six wickets for 80 runs, and pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya combined for four wickets for 33 runs [1]. Pakistan’s spinners proved costly, and Shaheen Afridi bowled only two expensive overs before being pulled off [1]. The comprehensive performance highlighted the depth of India’s all‑round talent in the tournament [1].

Historical Head‑to‑Head Favors India India’s record against Pakistan in ICC World Cups remains heavily skewed, with an 8‑0 win‑loss tally in ODI editions and an 8‑1 advantage in T20 editions, giving a combined 16‑1 lead [1]. The lopsided statistics illustrate a widening quality gap that has persisted for years and now manifests in on‑field results [1]. Analysts note that the rivalry increasingly lives in media narratives rather than competitive balance [1].

Handshake Protocol Remains Unresolved After Pahalgam Attack The no‑handshake rule, introduced after the 22 April 2022 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, continued to govern interactions between the teams [1]. Before the Colombo fixture, captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha evaded direct answers about shaking hands, with Yadav saying “Wait for 24 hours and you will find out” and Agha replying “You will know tomorrow,” leaving the issue to match referee Richie Richardson [1]. The unresolved protocol added a diplomatic layer to an already one‑sided contest [1].

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Timeline

1985 – England set a spin‑overs record of 36 overs in an ODI against Pakistan in Sharjah, a benchmark later broken by England’s 40.3 spin overs in Colombo 2026. [3]

2012 – England successfully defend a low target of 129 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, establishing the lowest defended total in T20 history that they later match in Sri Lanka 2026. [1]

2016 – England begin a nine‑match T20 winning streak over Sri Lanka, a run that continues through the 2026 series sweep. [2]

April 22, 2022 – A terror attack in Pahalgam triggers a no‑handshake protocol between India and Pakistan cricket boards, a rule still in effect during their 2026 World Cup clash. [5]

2024 – India win the T20 World Cup, becoming the first side to retain the trophy on home soil and setting up a defence at home in 2026. [7]

Dec 10, 2025 – Hardik Pandya drives India’s 101‑run victory over South Africa in Cuttack, reaching 99 T20I wickets and 100 sixes, underscoring his all‑round impact. [20]

Dec 10, 2025 – Virat Kohli climbs to No 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings, narrowing the gap to Rohit Sharma after a 65* in the series finale. [21]

Dec 11, 2025 – India prepare for the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh, with limited practice time and both sides eyeing a decisive result. [19]

Dec 14, 2025 – India chase 117 in Dharamsala to win by seven wickets, taking a 2‑1 series lead over South Africa; Abhishek Sharma’s six and Shubman Gill’s 28 anchor the chase. [17]

Dec 14, 2025 – Arshdeep Singh endures a costly four‑over spell in New Chandigarh, conceding 54 runs without a wicket as India lose by 51 runs to South Africa. [16]

Dec 20, 2025 – India target a 12th Under‑19 Asia Cup title, scheduling the final against Pakistan in Dubai on Dec 21. [15]

Dec 21, 2025 – Jemimah Rodrigues scores an unbeaten 69 off 44 balls to guide India Women to an eight‑wicket win over Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam, bolstering her claim for the World Cup No 3 slot. [14]

Dec 27, 2025 – India Women lead the five‑match series 3‑0 against Sri Lanka, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur winning the toss and fielding in each game to exploit early conditions. [13]

Dec 28, 2025 – Chamari Athapaththu becomes the first Sri Lankan woman to play 150 T20Is, marking a milestone in her 3,507‑run career. [12]

Dec 30, 2025 – Harmanpreet Kaur’s 68‑run knock anchors India Women to a 5‑0 series whitewash of Sri Lanka, while Deepti Sharma overtakes Megan Schutt as the all‑time leading T20I wicket‑taker. [11]

Jan 3, 2026 – India U‑19 post 301 runs against South Africa U‑19 in Benoni; a 137‑run partnership between Harvansh Pangalia and RS Ambrish rescues the innings after 67/4. [10]

Jan 22, 2026 – Sri Lanka defeat England by 19 runs in Colombo, posting 271/6 and restricting England to 252, giving Sri Lanka a 1‑0 lead in the three‑match ODI series. [4]

Jan 24, 2026 – England chase 220 for five wickets in Colombo, becoming the first side to successfully chase that total at R Premadasa; Harry Brook calls the pitch “the worst” he has ever played on. [3]

Jan 30, 2026 – Sam Curran claims England’s second T20I hat‑trick, dismissing three Sri Lankan batsmen in the final three balls of the 16th over to secure an 11‑run DLS win. [2]

Feb 2, 2026 – India A post 238/3 against the USA in a T20 World Cup warm‑up, with Narayan Jagadeesan blasting a century (104 off 55) to set up a 38‑run victory. [9]

Feb 3, 2026 – England complete a 3‑0 T20 series sweep in Sri Lanka, defending 129 with Sam Curran’s career‑best 58 and spinners Jacob Bethell (4‑11) and Will Jacks (3‑14) turning the match. [1]

Feb 4, 2026 – After a 14‑month half‑century drought, Suryakumar Yadav bursts back with 242 runs in the New Zealand series, including an unbeaten 82 off 37, earning his sixth Player‑of‑the‑Series award. [7]

Feb 4, 2026 – Aaron George scores 115 off 104 balls as India chase 310 in 41.1 overs, setting a U‑19 World Cup record chase and booking a final against England. [8]

Feb 8, 2026 – England open the T20 World Cup against Nepal, carrying momentum from a 3‑0 series sweep in Sri Lanka where they defended a record low target of 129. [1]

Feb 15‑16, 2026 – India defeat Pakistan by 61 runs in a Group A T20 World Cup match at Colombo; Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 77 off 40 balls anchors the chase, extending India’s 16‑1 overall World Cup win‑loss advantage over Pakistan. [5][6]

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