In a decisive Group A match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pakistan triumphed over Namibia by 102 runs, successfully bouncing back from their earlier defeat to India. This victory on February 18 allows Pakistan to progress to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, finishing the group phase with a much-needed win. Pakistan posted a total of 199 runs while Namibia was bowled out for 97 runs in just 18.3 overs.
Farhan Shines with Century
Sahibzada Farhan played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s victory, scoring his first T20 International century. He achieved this milestone in an impressive 57 balls, boosting the team’s total significantly after their heavy loss to India, which had seen them slumped in the standings. Farhan’s innings featured 11 fours and four sixes, making him only the second Pakistani after Ahmed Shehzad to achieve a century in the Men’s T20 World Cup.
Key Partnerships in Batting
Farhan’s exemplary performance was complemented by fruitful partnerships throughout the innings. He formed a 40-run opening partnership with Saim Ayub, who contributed 14 runs. Following this, Farhan teamed up with Salman Agha, accumulating a solid 67-run partnership for the second wicket. Salman made an impactful 38 runs off 23 balls before falling to Jack Brassell. Although Khawaja Nafay had minimal impact with just five runs, the late innings boost from Shadab Khan, who scored 36 runs off 22 balls, solidified Pakistan’s score.
Bowling Performance Holds Namibia Back
Pakistan’s bowling attack proved formidable against Namibia, quickly seizing control of the match. Their strategy paid off after Mohammad Nawaz missed a catch early in the innings, allowing Jan Frylinck to escape unscathed initially. However, Salman Mirza, newly included in the squad in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi, made an early breakthrough by dismissing Frylinck.
Spinner’s Dominance Over Namibia
Following the initial dismissal, Pakistan’s spinners dominated the Namibian batting lineup, taking wickets at crucial intervals to stifle any attempts at a comeback. Shadab Khan responded strongly after his previous game against India, delivering outstanding figures of three wickets for 19 runs in four overs. Usman Tariq also excelled, ending the game with superb bowling figures of 4 wickets for just 16 runs in 3.3 overs, marking his best performance in T20Is.
Match Conclusion
Namibia struggled to build momentum throughout the innings, ultimately collapsing for a total of 97 runs. Pakistan’s decisive bowling attack, spearheaded by its spinners, ensured that Namibia’s batters were under constant pressure. This comprehensive victory provided a significant boost to Pakistan’s morale, particularly after their prior defeat to India, reinforcing their bid for the T20 World Cup title.
