Farhan's century, spinners' web around Namibia propel Pakistan into Super Eights

Match Overview

Pakistan and Namibia locked horns in the 35th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on Wednesday, February 18. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first.

Pakistan openers - Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub - provided their team with a quick start, scoring 40 runs from the first five overs. But, Jack Brassell struck in the next over to give a much-needed breakthrough for his team, sending back Ayub. Agha joined Farhan and the duo carried the momentum forward. The batters started to dominate the proceedings and took the team over the 100-run mark without any further loss. However, not long after, Agha hit one straight into mid-off's hands to end the 67-run partnership.

Despite a couple of wickets in the space of seven balls, Pakistan did not slow down. Farhan, with new man Shadab Khan, upped the scoring rate a few notches as the right-handers smashed the Namibian bowlers all around the SSC. Farhan, in the last over, completed his maiden T20I ton in 57 balls and became the second Pakistani batter to score a century in T20 World Cups. Meanwhile, Pakistan finished at an imposing 199/3.

Namibia started off nicely, scoring 32 runs off the first four overs without losing any wickets. But, left-arm pacer Salman Mirza clean bowled Jan Frylinck in the next over to make Pakistan breathe easy. The Namibians just lost their way thereafter as they lost three more wickets for just 17 runs as the spinners started to make their presence felt. The target appeared to be too distant in the eighth over itself as JJ Smit and Alexander Busing-Volschenk tried to revive the innings but their partnership only lasted 30 runs.

The Pakistan tweakers took full control now and kept chipping at the batting line-up. Usman Tariq sped up the dismantling as Namibia were bowled out for a mere 97. Pakistan won the game by a massive 102 runs - their biggest win in T20 World Cups in terms of runs - and qualified for the Super Eights. Notably, all the eight teams of the next leg are decided now. 

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Sahibzada Farhan

Farhan started the innings slowly and was finding it difficult to time the ball initially. But, when he got settled he did not look back and played his usual self. The elegant right-hander scored runs with ease and toyed with the Namibian bowlers when the going was smooth in the second half of the innings. His partnerships with Agha and Shadab were crucial for the team's cause and the batter played his role to perfection.

Turning Point

The unbroken 81-run partnership off just 40 balls between Farhan and Shadab took the game away from the Namibians. The duo came together when Pakistan had lost three wickets for 118 runs in the 14th over. It was a tricky phase as a couple of wickets soon would have meant a much lower total perhaps. But, the pair batted positively and had the measure of the bowlers to take the team to almost 200 runs.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Salman Ali Agha (PAK)

"It is a complete performance. We batted well in the powerplay and the middle overs as well. Farhan has been batting well for a while and I am happy that he got his hundred. With the ball we were lethal. He is a tough bowler, trust me. I have faced him in domestic cricket. It's tough to pick him, especially with that pause. Thankfully he is playing for our team. We have been playing good cricket. New Zealand have been playing good cricket as well so should be a good game. We have the luxury of spinners and the all-rounders who can bat as well. In Sri Lanka if you such quality spinners you don't have to bother about bowling pace."

Losing Team Captain, Gerhard Erasmus (NAM)

"It was quite pleasing to see a young guy like Brassell running in there, supported by Smit and Trumpelmann. It's a special skill to have. For us it's always about nailing those specialist positions. Lots of cricket around and exciting things happening around Namibian cricket."