India Crushes Pakistan by 61 Runs in Colombo, Advances to T20 World Cup Super Eights

February 15, 2026: After losing to India in the T20 World Cup, Pakistani cricket fans can only wonder if it would have been better to continue the match boycott. Salman Ali Aghara went out to bat but got out on Sri Lankan soil. Suryakumar Yadav responded to Pakistan’s drama with both bat and ball. Sometimes Ishan Kishan’s batting was like a storm, sometimes it slowed down for the Indian spinners. In reply to India’s 175 runs, Babar Azam scored 114, but Pakistan’s innings ended with fewer runs than the USA and Namibia in this World Cup. In total, Pakistan lost by 61 runs, and India moved on to the Super Eights. Oh, and India has now beaten Pakistan eight times in this T20 World Cup.

Whether they win the toss or not, Pakistan’s chances have not changed. After winning the toss, Pakistan’s captain Salman hoped chasing 176 would be easier. But Ishan Kishan soon showed how tough it would be. Later, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel added more trouble. Babar Azam felt the pressure of chasing 176 on the slow, spin-friendly pitch at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium. Salman celebrated by taking the wicket of Abhishek Sharma in the first over, but in the end, it was disappointment, just like the three matches in the Asia Cup.

India’s Batting Storm

Despite losing Abhishek’s wicket early, Team India did not feel pressured. Ishan Kishan took control and made Pakistan’s bowlers look weak. He scored a half-century off just 27 balls. Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi bowled one after the other, and Ishan hit the shots Indian fans had been waiting for. He scored 77 runs off 40 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes. When he got out to Saim Ayub, India’s innings was already strong.

Tilak Verma and Hardik Pandya were dismissed quickly, which put India in a little trouble. Suryakumar Yadav tried to keep the runs going but could not increase the pace. The Indian captain got out after scoring 32 runs, caught off Usman Tariq’s ball. Pakistan’s spinners gave some trouble, but two captaincy mistakes made India’s task easier: he did not bowl Usman Khan against Ishan Kishan and brought Shaheen Afridi in the last over, which gave India 16 runs off the final over. India finished with 175 runs.

3️⃣/3️⃣ for #TeamIndia 💙

The #MenInBlue win by 6️⃣1️⃣ runs to qualify for Super 8! 💪

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/IgYYH0TeR9 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hFPqtYIERe

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2026

Pakistan’s Collapse

In previous matches, the USA and Namibia could not give India momentum. Pakistan failed to do so too. Their batting collapsed in the first two overs. Hardik dismissed Sahibzada Farhan in the first over. Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in the next over, sending Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha back to the pavilion. The match was basically decided there. Babar Azam tried to hold the innings together, but Axar Patel bowled straight and pierced the stumps.

Usman Khan tried to fight alone, but Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz could not save the innings. Tilak Verma dismissed Shadab, and Kuldeep Yadav sent Nawaz back. Usman eventually got out to Axar Patel. Pakistan did not even fold under 100 because two catches were missed by India. Shaheen Afridi scored 23 runs off 19 balls to save some pride. Hardik, Jasprit, Axar, and Varun took two wickets each. India went to the Super Eight, and Pakistan’s World Cup hopes are once again in trouble.