Brief results: PAK (199/3 in 20 overs) beat Namibia (97-in 17.3 overs) by 102 runs in Colombo in a Group A match.
PAK vs NAM T20 WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Pakistan bounced back strongly from their defeat to India to book a place in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026. On Wednesday, February 18, Sahibzada Farhan registered his maiden T20I century as Pakistan beat Namibia by 102 runs in their final Group A match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After a heavy 61-run defeat by India that saw Pakistan drop to third in the order, they entered the clash in Namibia in a must-win situation. The defeat marked Pakistan’s biggest T20I loss to India and dealt a significant blow to their campaign. However, against Namibia, Pakistan ensured there was no repeat of 2024 when they failed to progress to the second round.
The United States of America (USA), who ousted Pakistan in the second round in 2024, could not qualify for the Super 8 this time around. For the USA to advance, Namibia needed to beat Pakistan in this crucial encounter, but that scenario did not materialize.
FARHAN AXLES
Sahibzada Farhan has been among Pakistan’s most consistent batsmen in the last one-and-a-half years. However, he came under pressure after registering a four-ball duck against India when Hardik Pandya dismissed him cheaply. On Wednesday, Farhan responded in emphatic fashion and showed clear intent as he produced a magnificent century off just 57 balls.
The right-handed opener carried the bat through the innings and his knock of 11 fours and four sixes propelled Pakistan to an impressive 199 for six. This made Farhan just that second Pakistan batsman after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in the Men’s World T20.
He set the tone at the start of the innings as he put together a 40-run opening stand with Saim Ayub, who contributed 14 off 12 deliveries. Farhan then found solid support in Salman Agha as the duo added 67 runs for the second wicket. Salman, who fell cheaply against India, made amends with a quick-fire 23-ball 38 before Jack Brassell accounted for his wicket.
Khawaja Nafay, drafted into the playing eleven in place of Abrar Ahmed, failed to make his mark and managed just five runs. However, Shadab Khan provided the late impetus Pakistan needed, smashing 36 off 22 balls to take the total close to the 200-run mark.
Interestingly, Babar Azam, who batted at No. 4 in the first three matches, was not given an opportunity to bat, sparking further debate about his role in the team. For Namibia, Brassell claimed two wickets but proved costly, conceding 48 runs in his spell.
SHADAB, SPINNERS DAMP NAMIBIA
Pakistan didn’t get off to the best of starts after Mohammad Nawaz wasted a chance offered by Jan Frylinck, who is more than capable of punishing the opposition with his powerful stroke play. From this point on, however, Pakistan stiffened in the competition. Salman Mirza drafted into the playing eleven in place of Shaheen Shah Afridihe immediately made an impact by drawing the first blood and releasing Frylinck.
After that, wickets started to tumble in bunches. At the end of the over, Namibia were 40 for two and still harbored faint hopes of a comeback. However, Pakistan’s spinners ensured those hopes were short-lived, striking at regular intervals to keep the Namibian batting under constant pressure.
Shadab Khan, who endured a tough game against India as he conceded 17 runs in his only over, bounced back impressively. He returned figures of three for 19 in four overs at an economy rate of 4.75, providing much needed control and breakthroughs.
Usman Tariq also proved too hot for Namibia to handle. The mystery spinner was economical but relatively wicketless against India; however, this time he fooled the batsmen with his variations and accuracy.
Tariq finished with excellent figures of 3.3-1-16-4 to record his best returns in T20Is. A dominant performance from the spinners saw Pakistan bowl out Namibia for 97 in 17.3 overs to secure a comprehensive victory and a major confidence boost after the setback against India.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
February 18, 2026