R. in a brilliant opening to the second innings at the Premadasa Stadium T20 World Cup 2026, India‘s premier comprehensive Hardik Pandya indicated a ruthless intention to defend against 176 targets Pakistan. The atmosphere in Colombo, already after electricity Ishan Kishi‘s attacking 77 reached fever pitch as the Indian vice-captain dismantled Pakistan’s top order in the first part of the chase.
Sahibzada as Farhan, Hardik Pandya’s janitor’s daughter is ducked
Hardik produced a clinical opening that forced Pakistan to chase down 176. Captain with a tactical surprise Suryakumar Yadav instead gave the ball to Hardik jasprit bumrah to launch an attack. Pandya immediately rewarded faith with a magnificent wicket maiden; after stinging Sahibzade Farhan With three probing dot balls, he delivered a mistimed crisp, backward delivery. The ball ballooned towards the middle, where Rinku Singh He stayed ice cold under pressure to complete the catch. That dismissal sent Farhan back for a four-ball duck and further cemented Hardik’s status as Pakistan’s arch-nemesis, marking his 16th career T20I wicket against the arch-rivals.
We present the video:
No sixes, no documentary? How is this possible?
Hardik Pandya 🤝 Rinku Singh
ICC Men #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/2YlRIY60pv
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026
Jasprit Bumrah’s double strike: Pakistan collapse in power play
The nightmare intensified for Pakistan the second time around as Bumrah reminded the world why fast bowling is the gold standard. Although Saim Ayub Bumrah, who greeted him with a fortuitous six on the first ball, responded with his trademark in-swinging yorker that trapped Ayub (6) in front of the stumps.
Just two balls later, Bumrah struck again, giving the Pakistan skipper a lead Salman Ali Agha (4) was comfortably bowled by Pandya in the middle. The carnage did not end there Akhar Patel Introduced in year 4 and cleared immediately Babar Azam (5) with a delivery that slips through the gates. At the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan’s chase was in complete disarray at 38/4, with the R. Premadasa crowd witnessing one of the most clinical bowling displays in the history of the tournament.
