An explosive assault from Indian opener Ishan Kishan propelled India to a formidable 175 for 7 against Pakistan in their much-anticipated Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday night.
On a used surface that had already borne the scars of earlier matches, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and boldly invited India to bat, a decision that appeared inspired when he struck in the very first over. Bowling himself, Agha removed the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for a first-ball duck, momentarily silencing a sea of Indian blue in the stands.
That hush, however, was short-lived.
Kishan announced his intent immediately, launching into Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi in the second over, carving out 15 runs with disdainful ease. It was the start of an innings that combined audacity with precision, as Kishan seized control of the Powerplay and never loosened his grip.
Partnering Tilak Varma, the left-hander stitched together an 87-run stand off just 46 balls, a partnership that decisively tilted the momentum India’s way. Kishan did the bulk of the damage, racing to 76 from only 38 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with 10 fours and clearing the ropes three times. His footwork against spin was decisive, and his willingness to take on Pakistan’s crowded middle-overs attack left the bowlers scrambling for answers.
Pakistan’s lone bright spark with the ball was Saim Ayub, who finally ended Kishan’s pyrotechnics by bowling him against the run of play. Ayub then tightened his grip on the innings, exploiting the slowing surface to full effect. Tilak Varma, never entirely at ease against the spinners, fell leg-before for 25, and Ayub struck again immediately when Hardik Pandya holed out to Babar Azam at long-off, leaving India wobbling at 126 for 4.
Ayub’s figures of 3 for 24 from four overs stood out on a night when Pakistan curiously operated with six spinners. While Agha and Usman Tariq chipped in with timely breakthroughs, the likes of Mohammed Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed failed to make an impact, allowing India to rebuild.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube added a valuable 33 for the fifth wicket, injecting late impetus before Yadav perished in the penultimate over, attempting to force the pace. Afridi, who endured an expensive night conceding 31 runs from just two overs, salvaged some pride by dismissing Axar Patel off the final ball of the innings.
Yet, as the players left the field, there was little doubt that Kishan’s commanding knock had given India a total well beyond par — one that would demand something special from Pakistan under lights in Colombo.
