Brief Score: T20 World Cup, IND vs PAK: India (175/7) beat Pakistan (114-all out in 18 ov) by 61 runs in a Group A match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. IND vs PAK: Full Scorecard | Highlights
Broken hearts and broken television sets defined the mood in Pakistan after their humbling defeat to India in a T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo on Sunday. Pakistan slumped to a 61-run loss – their heaviest defeat to India in T20I history – following an insipid display at the R Premadasa Stadium. India, the defending champions, outclassed their arch-rivals across all three departments, powered by a special innings from Ishan Kishan and a clinical, all-round bowling performance.
Shortly after the match, a video of a Pakistani fan smashing his television set at home went viral. “India beat Pakistan again and I just broke my TV set in frustration,” the fan, who displayed a sense of self-mockery, wrote on social media while sharing footage of himself thrashing the television.
“Completely broken, ashamed, and in shock – can’t even speak,” the fan added in another post, alongside a series of hyper-animated reaction videos on Facebook.
The reactions of fans walking out of the R Premadasa Stadium painted a similarly grim picture.
Maqbool, a Pakistan supporter, speaking to news agency ANI, appeared visibly deflated after the heavy defeat.
“I think it has become a routine matter now. I was a little hopeful that we would win the match and at least give a fight. But it is like a routine matter. We do not have answers to Bumrah. We cannot face Hardik. This is the same situation. Well played, Team India, as always,” he said.
“If this kind of performance continues, then we cannot beat India. The Indian team is very good. Their homework is really good.
“Usually, I find positives in everything. But, today, my heart is broken. It’s a very bad performance.
“We used to dominate a couple of decades. But, in the last 20-25 years, India is on top. Well played, India.”
PAKISTAN 1-8 INDIA
The build-up to the contest had been dramatic. Pakistan had even threatened a boycott before reversing their stance a week earlier. Despite recent struggles against India, they entered the match with some confidence, having won both their group-stage fixtures in Colombo. They also held an advantage in terms of familiarity with the conditions, while India had only a single practice session after arriving in the Sri Lankan capital on Friday.
But once the action began, those factors proved irrelevant as India delivered a performance of authority and precision.
Ishan Kishan’s breathtaking 77 from just 40 deliveries proved decisive on a sluggish Premadasa surface, lifting India to a formidable 175 for seven after being put in to bat. On a pitch where free-flowing strokeplay was far from easy, his innings blended fearless intent with calculated execution, standing out as one of the most impactful T20I knocks by an Indian batter in challenging conditions.
Pakistan’s chase never gained traction. Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) and Hardik Pandya (2/16) struck early and decisively, removing Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in quick succession. Those early setbacks pushed Pakistan onto the back foot immediately, draining the contest of any sustained tension. The victory also extended India’s dominant head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups to 8-1.
Pakistan’s innings unravelled rapidly. Reduced to 13 for three, they slipped further into trouble when Babar Azam attempted an ambitious slog sweep off Axar Patel, only to see his stumps dismantled. At 34 for four, the chase was already slipping beyond their grasp.
The Powerplay comparison underlined the gulf between the two sides. India had surged to 52 for one, laying a solid platform, while Pakistan managed only 38 for four, leaving themselves with a steep climb. The gap widened steadily as the innings progressed.
Any lingering hopes of resistance were extinguished in the middle overs, where India’s spinners asserted complete control. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakravarthy operated with discipline and precision, striking at regular intervals and tightening the noose, eventually bowling Pakistan out for 114 to seal a comprehensive victory.
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