KISHAN GUIDES INDIA TO EMPHATIC 61 RUNS WIN

Ishan Kishan swashbuckling quickfire 40 ball knock of 77 paved the way for India to coast to a emphatic 61 runs win over arch rivals Pakistan in Group A and 27th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup encounter played under floodlights at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

- By M.SHAMILAMIT

Varun Chakravarthy in action Ishan Kishan completed a 27-ball fifty Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

(Kushan Pathiraja)

Pakistan in pursuit of 176 runs which was the third highest run chase at the ground, was going to be no where near the target after losing their top five wickets cheaply as they succumbed to right arm pacies Hardik Pandya and Jaspit Bumrah and spin duo Azar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy who together shared eight wickets between them for a score of judt 114 runs.

Pakistan began their run chase of 176 runs on a sour note which began with right arm pacie Hardik Pandya bagging the first wicket of Pakistan that of Shaubzada Farhan who faced just four balls being dismissed for a four ball duck and then Pandya ended with maiden wicket over.

Pakistan further fell into deep trouble when they lost two quick wickets that of Salim Ayub and skipper Salman Agha and was struggling on 13 for 3 in the second over.