IND vs PAK live score latest updates: India defeat Pakistan by 61 runs in Colombo! Ishan Kishan’s 77 & Bumrah’s magic seal a Super 8 spot. Get the full scorecard.
In a high-octane clash that lived up to its billing as the “Greatest Rivalry in Sports,” India secured a dominant 61-run victory over Pakistan in Match 27 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Playing at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the Men in Blue extended their World Cup dominance to an 8-1 record, effectively punching their ticket to the Super 8s.
For those tracking the IND vs PAK live score latest updates, Trending News Fox brings you the comprehensive breakdown of how India dismantled their arch-rivals on a tricky Sri Lankan surface.
IND vs PAK Live Score: Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Performer |
| India | 175/7 | 20.0 | Ishan Kishan (77 off 40) |
| Pakistan | 114/10 | 18.0 | Usman Khan (44 off 32) |
Result: India won by 61 runs.
First Innings: Ishan Kishan’s Fireworks Ignite Colombo
The match began with a surprise move from Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, who won the toss and chose to bowl first. Exploiting a “tacky” pitch, Agha opened the bowling himself and immediately tasted success, dismissing the explosive Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the very first over.
However, the early setback didn’t deter Ishan Kishan. The Jharkhand southpaw turned the stadium into his personal playground, smashing a 27-ball half-century. His innings of 77 (off 40 balls) was laced with 10 boundaries and 3 massive sixes. Kishan’s aggression was vital, as he took on the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the “mystery spinner” Usman Tariq with clinical precision.
Middle Order Resilience
While Kishan was the aggressor, Tilak Varma (25) and Captain Suryakumar Yadav (32) played crucial roles in stabilizing the innings. Despite a mid-innings wobble caused by Saim Ayub, who bagged 3 for 25, India’s lower order ensured a strong finish. A late cameo from Shivam Dube (27) and Rinku Singh propelled India to a competitive total of 175/7—a score many experts deemed “above par” given the slow nature of the Premadasa track.
Second Innings: Pakistan’s Batting Collapses Under Pressure
Chasing 176 for victory, Pakistan’s response was stuttering from the get-go. The Indian pace attack, led by the relentless Jasprit Bumrah and a fiery Hardik Pandya, left the Pakistani top order in shambles.
Bumrah and Pandya Strike Early
Hardik Pandya drew first blood by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Shortly after, Jasprit Bumrah showcased his masterclass, removing Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha in quick succession. Within the first four overs, Pakistan was reeling at 25/3.
The Spin Web: Axar and Varun Take Control
As the pitch began to offer more grip, India’s spinners took over:
- Axar Patel: The left-arm spinner was clinical, finishing with key wickets, including the prize scalp of Babar Azam (5), who failed to read a straight delivery that rattled his stumps.
- Varun Chakaravarthy: The mystery spinner was unplayable in the death overs. He picked up two wickets in two balls (Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed), nearly completing a hat-trick and ending any slim hopes Pakistan had of a comeback.
- Usman Khan’s Lone Fight: Amidst the carnage, Usman Khan was the only Pakistani batter to show resistance, scoring a gritty 44. His dismissal, a sharp stumping by Ishan Kishan off Axar Patel’s bowling, was the final nail in the coffin.
Key Highlights & Tactical Masterstrokes
- Selection Gamble: India’s decision to bring in Kuldeep Yadav for Arshdeep Singh and Abhishek Sharma for Sanju Samson paid dividends in terms of team balance.
- The “No Handshake” Tension: Pre-match reports of a “no-handshake policy” between the captains highlighted the geopolitical tension, adding a layer of grit to the on-field battle.
- Fielding Excellence: India’s fielding was top-notch, with Shivam Dube taking a brilliant running catch to dismiss Mohammad Nawaz, proving that the Men in Blue were superior in all three departments.
Post-Match Reactions
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his satisfaction at the post-match presentation:
“We knew 170+ was a winning total on this deck. Ishan gave us the platform, and the bowlers executed the plans perfectly. Our focus now shifts to the Super 8s.”
On the other side, Salman Ali Agha lamented the top-order failure:
“We won the toss and got the start we wanted, but we couldn’t contain Ishan. In the chase, losing three wickets in the powerplay made it impossible to recover.”
What’s Next for India and Pakistan?
With this victory, India has officially qualified for the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. They will face the Netherlands in their final group-stage match in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan, meanwhile, finds itself in a precarious position. While they still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, they will need other results to go their way and a massive win in their upcoming fixtures to improve their Net Run Rate (NRR).
T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table (Group A)
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Points | NRR |
| 1 | India | 3 | 3 | 6 | +2.450 |
| 2 | USA | 3 | 2 | 4 | +0.120 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | -0.850 |
How to Watch IND vs PAK Highlights
Missed the live action? You can catch the full match highlights and the IND vs PAK live score archives on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network. For real-time updates on all upcoming T20 World Cup matches, keep following Trending News Fox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026
1. Who won the India vs Pakistan 2026 T20 World Cup match?
India won the match by 61 runs. After posting a competitive total of 175/7, the Indian bowling attack bundled out Pakistan for 114 runs in 18 overs.
2. What was the final scorecard for IND vs PAK?
- India: 175/7 (20.0 Overs)
- Pakistan: 114/10 (18.0 Overs)Top Scorer: Ishan Kishan (77 off 40 balls).Top Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) and Hardik Pandya (2/16).
3. Who was the Man of the Match in the India vs Pakistan clash?
Ishan Kishan was awarded the Player of the Match for his explosive 77 runs off 40 deliveries. His innings included 10 fours and 3 sixes, providing India with the momentum needed on a sluggish Colombo pitch.
4. Has India qualified for the Super 8 stage?
Yes. With this victory over Pakistan, India has officially qualified for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, maintaining an unbeaten record in Group A.
5. Where can I watch the IND vs PAK match highlights?
You can watch the full match highlights on JioHotstar or the official ICC website. Replays are also being broadcast on the Star Sports Network.
6. What is India’s head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups?
Following this win, India’s dominance continues with an 8-1 record against Pakistan in T20 World Cup history. Overall, India has won 14 out of 17 T20I encounters against their arch-rivals.
7. What happened at the toss between India and Pakistan?
Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first. Notably, the pre-match tension was evident as the two captains reportedly did not exchange the traditional handshake at the toss.
