COLOMBO - India routed their bitter rivals Pakistan by 61 runs on Sunday to qualify for the next round of the T20 World Cup in a showdown that had been in doubt until a few days ago.
Suryakumar Yadav's side scored 175-7 after being given a flying start by Ishan Kishan's brilliant 77 and then bowled out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs.
The defeat for Pakistan continued their woeful record against India in World Cups.
India have won eight of nine T20 World Cup meetings and all eight of their ODI World Cup encounters.
"I think this is for India," said Suryakumar after his side followed the West Indies into the Super Eights stage.
"Batting first was (the) better option on this wicket."
Pakistan got off to the worst possible start in their chase of 176 to win, Sahibzada Farhan top-edging a slog across the line to mid-on for a duck in Hardik Pandya's first over.
It became 6-2 when Jasprit Bumrah's second ball trapped Saim Ayub (6) plumb in front.
Captain Salman Agha (4) was next to go, with another mistimed slog off Bumrah's sixth ball leaving his team in dire straits at 13-3.
When spinner Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam for five, Pakistan were in tatters at 34-4.
Usman Khan offered some resistance, scoring 44 from 34 balls with a six and six fours.
But after he charged down the pitch to Axar and Kishan stumped him by a mile, it sparked a mini-collapse to 78-7 and the game was done and dusted.
Earlier, India captain Suryakumar and his Pakistan opposite number Agha did not shake hands at the coin toss, which Agha won and elected to bowl.
The two captains did the same their three matches at the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, including the final.
The off-on Group A match was only confirmed to go ahead six days ago when the Pakistan government made a U-turn on a threat to boycott the encounter.
The cricket teams of the nuclear-armed neighbours only meet in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues as part of a compromise deal.
It has been more than 18 years since India and Pakistan last met in a Test match, and 13 years since either side crossed the border to play a bilateral series.