Sahibzada Farhan’s Century Powers Pakistan to 199
Pakistan stormed into the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a dominant 102-run win over Namibia national cricket team.
The crucial match was played at SSC Cricket Ground in Colombo on Wednesday. Pakistan delivered a complete performance with both bat and ball.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a strong total of 199 runs. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan gave the team a solid start. The pair added 40 runs for the first wicket.
Ayub scored 14 off 12 balls before being dismissed by Jack Brassell. His knock included two boundaries.
Farhan continued to attack the bowlers. He built a vital 67-run partnership with captain Salman Ali Agha. The stand pushed Pakistan past the 100-run mark.
Agha played an aggressive innings of 38 off 23 balls. He smashed three fours and two sixes. Brassell broke the partnership in the 13th over.
Surprisingly, Babar Azam did not bat at number three. Khawaja Nafay was sent in instead. He managed just five runs before falling to Gerhard Erasmus.
Farhan remained focused. He reached his 10th T20I fifty in style. He accelerated in the death overs and brought up his maiden T20 World Cup century.
The right-hander became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a hundred in a T20 World Cup. He finished unbeaten on 100 off 58 balls. His innings included 11 fours and four sixes.
Shadab Khan supported him well. He scored 36 off 22 balls with three sixes. Pakistan ended their innings at 199 for four.
Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan Destroy Namibia’s Chase
Chasing 200, Namibia struggled under scoreboard pressure. The team was bowled out for just 97 in 17.3 overs.
Namibia started positively. Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck added 32 runs for the opening wicket. Frylinck scored nine before being bowled by Salman Mirza.
Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was run out for five. Namibia slipped to 39 for two during the powerplay.
Steenkamp scored 23 with three fours and a six. Mohammad Nawaz removed him to tighten Pakistan’s grip.
Captain Gerhard Erasmus managed only seven runs. Shadab Khan dismissed him to deepen the crisis.
Alexander Busing-Volschenk tried to rebuild the innings. He scored 20 off 20 balls. Shadab struck again to remove him.
Namibia were reduced to 79 for five in 12.3 overs. Usman Tariq then took control.
Tariq dismissed JJ Smit for nine and Ruben Trumpelmann for a duck. He continued his impressive spell by removing Bernard Scholtz and Willem Myburgh.
Zane Green also fell to Shadab, who claimed three wickets in total. Tariq finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 16 in 3.3 overs.
Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one wicket each. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling sealed a massive victory.
Pakistan Secure Super Eight Spot With Net Run Rate Boost
The comprehensive win boosted Pakistan’s net run rate. It confirmed their place in the Super Eight stage of the tournament.
The team showed strength in batting depth and bowling variety. Farhan’s century set the tone. The bowlers completed the job with precision.
Pakistan now move forward with strong momentum. The Super Eight stage promises tougher challenges. But this victory sends a clear message.
Pakistan remain serious contenders for the T20 World Cup 2026 title.
