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Ishan Kishan's 77 Blunts Pakistan's 6-Spinner Surge in T20 WC Thriller

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Ishan Kishan for brilliantly countering Pakistan's surprise tactic of deploying six spinners in their T20 World Cup clash. Kishan smashed a rapid 77 runs from just 40 deliveries, single-handedly dominating the powerplay by scoring 42 of India's 52 runs. His innings, which included 10 fours and three sixes, proved crucial on a tough pitch and is now the fourth-highest individual score in India-Pakistan T20I history. Kishan's knock, supported by Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, propelled India to a competitive total of 175/7.

Key Points: Ishan Kishan's 77 vs Pakistan's 6 Spinners | T20 WC Analysis

  • Kishan scored 77 off 40 balls
  • Pakistan used a record six spinners
  • Kishan made 42 of India's 52 powerplay runs
  • His score is 4th highest in IND-PAK T20Is
2 min read

Irfan Pathan hails Kishan's takedown of Pakistan's "surprise" spin ploy in T20 WC clash

Irfan Pathan hails Ishan Kishan's counter-attack against Pakistan's record six-spinner ploy. Get match highlights and key stats from the T20 World Cup clash.

"Ishan Kishan has taken the surprise ploy of Pakistan so well. Brilliant - Irfan Pathan"

Colombo, February 15

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan hailed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan for his fantastic knock, pointing out how he counter-attacked the team's "surprise ploy" of playing six spinners.

Despite Abhishek Sharma's second-consecutive duck, Ishan continued his dream run in T20Is, scoring valuable 77 in 40 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes worth its weight in gold. While the game moved at a snail's pace at the other end, he struck at 192.50, brutally taking down Pakistan's spinners.

Taking to X, Irfan wrote, "Ishan Kishan has taken the surprise ploy of Pakistan so well. Brilliant"

During the match, Pakistan used six spiners, skipper Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Mohammed Nawaz, Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed, the most by a team in a T20 World Cup innings and the joint most by a Full Member team in a T20I.

Kishan started off by collecting a four each against Salman and Saim, Ishan then hit Abrar for a four and six in the fifth over. In the last over of the powerplay, he managed to get two fours against Saim, having made 42 of his side's 52 runs in the powerplay.

Later in seventh over, he collected two fours against Abrar, completing his fifty in 27 balls, following it with a six and four against Shadab in eighth over. After hitting Saim for another four in the ninth, he fell for a brillaint 77 in 40 balls.

This is the fourth-highest score in a India-Pakistan T20I match, with the top three scores held by Virat Kohli (82* at MCG in 2022 T20 WC), followed by Mohammed Rizwan (79* in Dubai during 2021 T20 WC) and then Virat again, who made 78 against his arch-rivals in Colombo back in 2012.

Ishan is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament so far, with 158 runs in three innings at an average of 52.66 and a strike rate of 197.50, with two fifties and best score of 77.

Coming to the match, Pakistan win the toss and opted to field first. The masterclass by Ishan and crucial knocks from skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32 in 29 balls, with three fours) and Shivam Dube (27 in 17 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to a competitive total of 175/7 on a tough pitch.

Ayub (3/25 in four overs) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, while Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/31 in two overs), Usman Tariq (1/24 in four overs) and Agha (1/10 in two overs) were also among the wickets.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Irfan Pathan is spot on. Kishan's innings was the difference. On a tough pitch where others struggled, his 77 at that strike rate was match-winning. He didn't just survive the spin, he dominated it. Fantastic to see a young player step up like this.
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Vikram M
Brilliant batting, no doubt. But let's also talk about the team selection. Playing six spinners was a desperate move by Pakistan, and it backfired spectacularly. Our batters need to be prepared for such unusual tactics in every match going forward.
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Priya S
Ishan was on fire! 🔥 To score 42 out of 52 in the powerplay against spin is incredible. He took the game away from them single-handedly in the first six overs. That's the kind of intent we need at the top. Hope he keeps this form for the knockouts!
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Rohit P
A respectful criticism: While Ishan was phenomenal, the article glosses over Abhishek Sharma's consecutive ducks. The opening partnership is crucial, and we can't always rely on one player to bail us out. The top order needs to be more consistent as a unit.
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Kavya N
So proud of Ishan! He played like a man possessed. Every time Pakistan tried to build pressure with spin, he found the boundary. His fifty in 27 balls set the perfect platform. Beating Pakistan always feels extra special. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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