COLOMBO—Pakistan made a roaring comeback on Wednesday, crushing Namibia by 102 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. This Pakistan vs Namibia clash wasn’t just a win; it was a comprehensive performance that secured their place in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. After their earlier loss to India, the Men in Green needed a massive result to restore their fans' faith, and they delivered exactly that.
Match Summary
- Pakistan: 199/3 (20 overs)
- Namibia: 97 all out (17.3 overs)
- Result: Pakistan won by 102 runs.
Sahibzada Farhan’s Historic Century
The day belonged to Sahibzada Farhan. The opener played the innings of his life, becoming only the sixth Pakistani batter to score a T20I century. He finished on 100 off 58 balls*, a knock that combined early caution with late-innings carnage. Farhan hit 11 boundaries and four massive sixes, carrying his bat through the entire 20 overs.
What made the innings special was how he handled the pressure. With critics calling for his head after a string of low scores, Farhan stayed calm during a tricky opening spell from Namibia’s Ruben Trumpelmann and then dismantled the spinners in the middle overs. By the time he reached triple figures in the final over, the Colombo crowd was on its feet.
A Bowling Masterclass
Chasing 200 was always going to be a mountain too high for Namibia, but Pakistan’s bowlers made sure it was impossible. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck with the very first ball of the chase, trapping Nikolaas Davin in front. From there, it was a downward spiral for the "Eagles."
The spin duo of Shadab Khan and Usman Tariq turned the match into a highlight reel. Shadab, who earlier contributed a quick 36 off 22 balls*, took 3 for 19, showing the kind of control that has been missing from his game lately. However, it was the mystery spinner Usman Tariq who stole the show in the second half. His unconventional action left the Namibian middle order guessing, and he ended with career-best figures of 4 for 16. Namibia was eventually bowled out for a meager 97 with more than two overs to spare.
Tactical Turnaround
Captain Salman Ali Agha deserves credit for the tactical shift. After winning the toss, he chose to bat first despite the morning moisture, trusting that the pitch would dry up and take turn in the second innings. Taking a chance paid off handsomely.
The middle-order partnership between Farhan and Salman helped steady the ship after Saim Ayub’s early exit. Pakistan’s ability to rotate strike in the middle overs—an area where they have traditionally struggled—allowed them to build a platform for the late-over explosion. The last five overs yielded 68 runs, effectively ending the contest before the second innings even began.
Looking Ahead: The Super 8s
This victory does more than just keep Pakistan in the tournament; it guarantees their automatic qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. More importantly, it sets up a mouth-watering Super 8 schedule. Pakistan now joins what is widely considered a tough Super 8 group featuring England, New Zealand, and hosts Sri Lanka.
The team now travels to the R. Premadasa Stadium to prepare for their opening Super 8 clash against New Zealand this Saturday. While the batting seems to have found its rhythm, all eyes will be on the pace battery to see if they can maintain this intensity against top-tier opposition.
Read our full Ahmedabad match story: “India vs Netherlands T20: A Grind under the Ahmedabad Lights” for extra context and live moments.
Comments (42)
Great analysis! I think the toss will be crucial. If India bats first and puts up 300+, it's game over for NZ.
Don't underestimate the Black Caps! We've won in India before. Williamson's leadership will make the difference.