India Defeat Pakistan by 61 Runs in ICC T20 World Cup

Kathmandu – In the ICC T20 World Cup, Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat against India. Chasing a target of 176 runs set by India, Pakistan were bowled out for 114 runs in 17.5 overs.

The match was played on Sunday at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In response to India’s 175/7 in 20 overs, Pakistan failed to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each. Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and Tilak Varma took one wicket apiece.

Batting at number five, Usman Khan was the top scorer for Pakistan with 44 runs off 34 balls, including six fours and one six. Shaheen Shah Afridi remained unbeaten on 23 runs. Shadab Khan added 14 runs, while Faheem Ashraf contributed 10.

Pakistan’s top order struggled badly. Opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for 6 runs, while Babar Azam scored just 5. Captain Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz managed only four runs each. The other opener, Sahibzada Farhan, was dismissed for a duck.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, India posted 175 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Ishan Kishan was the top scorer with 77 runs off 40 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav scored 32 runs from 29 balls, including three fours. Shivam Dube contributed 27 runs, Tilak Varma added 25, and Rinku Singh scored 11 runs. 

Opener Abhishek Sharma was out for a duck, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya was dismissed for a golden duck.
For Pakistan, Saim Ayub picked up three wickets, conceding 25 runs in four overs.

With this loss, Pakistan’s chances of reaching the Super 8 stage have become difficult. Their qualification will now depend on the outcome of their final group match against Namibia.