India defeats Pakistan to secure spot in Super 8

Ishan Kishan (77), Surya Kumar Yadav (32), and Shivaam Dube (27) played explosive innings, and the bowlers performed exceptionally well, as India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs with 12 balls to spare in the 27th match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday, securing a spot in the Super Eight. With this win, India has improved its record against Pakistan in the World Cup to 8-1.

Chasing a target of 176, Pakistan was rocked by the duo of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik struck in the very first over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan (0) to give India its first breakthrough. In the next over, Jasprit Bumrah removed Saim Ayub (6) and, on the last ball of the same over, captain Agha Salman (4). In the fifth over, Axar Patel, who came to bowl, dismissed Babar Azam (5). Usman Khan and Shadab Khan then attempted a recovery, adding 39 runs, but Axar dealt another blow in the 11th over, dismissing Usman Khan to give Pakistan its fifth jolt. Usman Khan scored 44 runs off 34 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Kuldeep took the wicket of Mohammad Nawaz (4). In the 13th over, Tilak Verma dismissed Shadab Khan to give India its seventh success. Varun Chakravarthy took the wickets of Faheem Ashraf (10) and Abrar Ahmed (0) in the 16th over. On the last ball of the 18th over, Hardik Pandya bowled Usman Tarq (0) to end Pakistan's innings at 114, propelling India into the Super Eight. For India, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy took two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Verma claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, India had set a target of 176, the highest score in T20 World Cup history against Pakistan, losing seven wickets. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. India's start was poor, losing the wicket of Bhishik Sharma (0). Tilak Verma, who came to bat next, added 87 runs for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan. Saim Ayub broke this partnership in the ninth over, dismissing Ishan Kishan, who was batting explosively. Ishan Kishan scored 77 runs off 40 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes. In the 15th over, Saim Ayub dismissed Tilak Verma, who scored 25 runs off 24 balls, and, on the very next ball, got Hardik Pandya (0) out to bring Pakistan back into the match. In the 19th over, while attempting a big shot off Usman Tarq's delivery, Surya Kumar Yadav was caught out on the boundary.

Surya Kumar Yadav scored 32 runs off 29 balls, hitting three fours. Shivaam Dube scored 27 runs off 17 balls, hitting three fours and a six. India set a challenging target of 175 runs, losing seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Rinku Singh remained not out, scoring 11 runs off four balls. For Pakistan, Saim Ayub took three wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Agha Salman claimed one wicket each.