Billed as a spin-heavy affair, India asserted their dominance over Pakistan with a crushing 61-run victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Despite a tacky, gripping surface that saw Pakistan bowl 18 overs of spin, Ishan Kishan produced a masterclass of orthodox and unorthodox hitting, proving that the gulf between the two sides has become a chasm.
After Salman Ali Agha provided a shock start by dismissing Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the first over, the stage seemed set for a Pakistan stranglehold. Then, Ishan Kishan happened.
Kishan (77, 40b, 10x4, 3x6) dismantled Shaheen Afridi with a first-ball six and never looked back.
During the middle overs, Kishan faced 14 consecutive deliveries while partner Tilak Varma watched from the non-striker's end. In that span, Kishan plundered 41 runs against four different bowlers (Agha, Ayub, Abrar, and Shadab).
Kishan reached his half-century in just 27 balls, using reverse-sweeps and lofted drives to negate a pitch that was offering significant turn.
Chasing 176, Pakistan’s response was "in a shambles" before it even began. India’s pace duo of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah produced a clinical opening burst that effectively ended the contest in the Powerplay.
Pandya started with a wicket-maiden, inducing a mistimed pull from Sahibzada Farhan.
In the following over, Bumrah trapped Saim Ayub with a yorker and removed captain Salman Agha two balls later.
Once the top order was gutted, Axar Patel took charge, sliding one into Babar Azam's stumps and later dismissing the lone warrior Usman Khan (44 off 34). Pakistan was eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs.
The way Ishan Kishan played took the game away from us. He’s fearless and can score on both sides of the ground, which makes it a challenge for spinners in the PowerPlay. He forced them away from the basics.
Mike Hesson, Pakistan head coach
