ANI |
Updated: 15 Feb. 2026 22:50 IST
Colombo [Sri Lanka]February 15 (ANI): After Team India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs in the Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Ishan Kishan reflected on the challenges of batting on a difficult surface and the importance of playing to his strengths in a tight contest between India and Pakistan.
During the post-match presentation ceremony, Kishan, who received the Man of the Match award for his brilliant 77, said: “The wicket was not that easy. Sometimes you need to believe and focus on your strengths. I watched the ball, stuck to my strengths and ran as much as possible,” Kishan said.
He highlighted the work he has done to improve his off-side game to better control the bowlers’ lines. “I’ve worked a lot on my outside game so I can let them play where I want them to play.”
Overall, Kishan emphasized the value of placement. “On a big field you get big gaps. Trying to bridge the gaps, trying to make two attempts. I knew that we needed to score around 160-170, which would be a good result for us,” he explained.
Calling the India-Pakistan rivalry special, Kishan added, “India-Pakistan is always a special game, not just for us but for our country. They had some pretty good players on their side. Victory against Pakistan will give us confidence in the future.”
He also expressed special praise for Indian leaders Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. “They played very well. The Pace bowlers, when I was batting, didn’t feel like they were doing much for the pacers. We know how Jassi can play, be it with the new ball or at the death. Credit has to be given to Hardik for bowling in tight spots and executing his plans,” Kishan added.
Coming into the match, Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first. A masterclass knock from Ishan Kishan (77 off 40) and decisive knocks from captain Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 29 balls, with three fours) and Shivam Dube (27 off 17 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to a competitive total of 175/7 on a tough pitch.
Ayub (3/25 in four overs) was Pakistan’s best bowler, while Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/31 in two overs), Usman Tariq (1/24 in four overs) and Agha (1/10 in two overs) were also among the wickets.
During the chase, Pakistan got off to a nightmare start when Sahibzada Farhan fell for a four-ball duck to Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh got the edge by removing him for a four-ball duck.
In the next over, Jasprit Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub lbw for just six and also removed captain Salman Ali Agha for four. Pakistan were 13/3 in two overs.
Babar Azam started his innings slowly while Usman Khan counter-attacked with two consecutive boundaries against Axar Patel in the fifth over. But the spin all-rounder had the last laugh, removing Babar for five off seven balls, reducing Pakistan to 34/4.
At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan were 71/4 with Usman (43*) and Shadab (12*) unbeaten. The 39-ball partnership was broken by Axar as Ishan Kishan played a brilliant game to remove Usman in a 34-ball 44 with six fours and a six. Pakistan were trailing by five on 73 in 10.4 overs.
Mohammed Nawaz (4) was caught by Shivam Dube, Kuldeep got the sixth wicket and Pakistan were all out for 78 in 11.4 overs.
Pakistan’s decline deepened after Tilak Varma dismissed Shadab (14) and Dube snatched another catch. Pakistan were 78/7 in 12.1 overs.
Rinku’s safe pair of hands gave Varun Chakravarthy his first wicket, removing Faheem Ashraf for a sluggish 14-ball 10. Pakistan slumped to 97/8 in 15.3 overs and the very next ball had Abrar Ahmed trapped for a golden duck. Pakistan were one wicket away from a humiliating loss.
However, Pakistan achieved a moral victory by crossing the 100-run mark in 16.1 overs.
Hardik completed the win by cleaning out Usman to bowl out Pakistan by 114 runs in 18 overs.
Axar Patel (2/29 in four overs) was selected as India’s bowler and India’s bowlers also included Hardik Pandya (2/16 in three overs), Jasprit Bumrah (2/17 in two overs) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/17 in three overs). (ANI)