Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya dismissed Usman Tariq as the Men in Blue outclassed Pakistan by 61 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 clash on Sunday, February 15, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Opting to bat first, India put up an imposing 175/7 on the board.
Pandya delivered the final blow on the last ball of the 18th over, removing Tariq for a three-ball duck to seal the contest, as Suryakumar Yadav and his men wrapped up a comprehensive win. The all-rounder bowled a full-length delivery on the stumps that Tariq completely misjudged.
Attempting to push it away while backing off, he failed to connect, and the ball crashed into his middle stump, making it an easy finish for the Indian medium pacer. You can watch the video here:
https://www.icc-cricket.com/stories/6991fa500976df65287d1d46/6991fa3d0976df65287d1d45
Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs, falling well short of the target. The Men in Blue did not celebrate excessively after the win and instead exchanged handshakes in a composed manner. The defending champions have now won all three of their matches and continue their strong run in the T20 World Cup 2026.
India keep upper hand over Pakistan in T20 World Cups
This was the ninth encounter between India and Pakistan in T20 World Cups. Coming into the match, the Men in Blue held an impressive 7-1 record and further strengthened their supremacy with another convincing win. Their head-to-head record in the tournament now stands at 8-1 in India’s favour.
Except for 2021, the Men in Green have struggled against their rivals. Ishan Kishan scored a composed half-century after an early dismissal. The left-handed batter smashed 77 runs off just 40 deliveries, striking 10 fours and three sixes at an outstanding strike rate of 192.5.
India’s bowling unit then delivered a complete performance. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma picked up one apiece, as the bowlers maintained control throughout the innings.
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