COLOMBO, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Defending champions India thumped Pakistan by 61 runs in a grudge Group A match of the Twenty20 World Cup to secure their place in the Super Eight stage of the tournament on Sunday.

India and Pakistan have historically had strained political relations. However, since the Pahalgam attacks in April 2025, India's stance towards Pakistan has intensified. The twist, though, is that the PCB has often opted to fight and lose its battles, rather than giving up at the very start.

After weeks of debate about whether Pakistan's fixture against India would go ahead at the T20 World Cup, the action failed to deliver and it left the rivalry feeling more political than sporting.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha admitted his team underperformed against India, with spinners having an off day and early batting collapses hurting them. He said the pitch improved later, and Pakistan failed to adapt.