India secured a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Batting first on a sluggish surface, India posted a formidable 175 for 7, their highest-ever T20 World Cup total against their arch-rivals. The innings was spearheaded by Ishan Kishan, who smashed a blistering 77 off 40 balls, featuring ten boundaries and three sixes. Despite losing Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the opening over to Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha, India recovered through Kishan’s dominance and late cameos from Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dube (27).
Pakistan’s bowling strategy made history as they became the first team to use six different spinners in a T20 World Cup match, equalling the tournament record of 18 overs of spin in a single innings. The spin quintet, including Saim Ayub (3/25) and Abrar Ahmed, initially restricted India's momentum, but the "Men in Blue" surged late to set a target that proved insurmountable. Pakistan’s chase crumbled under pressure, folding for just 114 in 18 overs as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah dismantled the top order, moving India to the top of Group A.
Canadian teen Yuvraj Samra’s T20 century opens doors
19-year-old Yuvraj Samra from Brampton, Canada, played cricket for passion. After his record 65-ball 110 against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, he hopes to turn it into a career. Named after India’s Yuvraj Singh by his cricket-loving father, Samra became the youngest to score a T20 World Cup century and the first from an Associate nation.
He hit 11 fours and six sixes in Canada’s 173-run total, falling in the final over against Jacob Duffy. “I feel this inning could change my life and allow me to make a living from cricket, especially being from Canada,” he said.
Samra highlighted the challenges of training in Canada, where cricket is mostly limited to three months due to harsh winters, and praised pre-tournament tours abroad. He also credited his father for constant support and said the standing ovation from 16,000 Chennai fans made the moment unforgettable.
Australia out of world cup
Former champions Australia suffered a shock group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe’s clash with Ireland was washed out in Pallekele on February 17. The abandoned match sent Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka through to the Super 8s, eliminating Australia, Ireland, and Oman.
The 2021 champions failed to reach the Super 8 stage for the first time in 17 years. Losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka left Australia dependent on other results, but Zimbabwe’s point from the rained-off match sealed their fate. Their final group game against Oman is now meaningless, with only pride at stake.
