Colombo, Sri Lanka – Pakistan secured their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a dominant 102-run victory over Namibia on . The win, fueled by a stunning century from Sahibzada Farhan and a masterful display of spin bowling, alleviated pressure on the team following a recent loss to India and averted a potential third consecutive first-round exit in ICC events.
Electing to bat first at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Pakistan posted a formidable total of 199. While the early wicket of Saim Ayub (14) offered a brief respite for Namibia, Farhan’s explosive innings quickly seized control of the match. His century – the second by a Pakistani batsman in T20 World Cups, following Ahmed Shehzad’s effort against Bangladesh in 2014 – arrived off 58 deliveries, punctuated by 11 boundaries and four sixes, and achieved a strike rate of 172.41. The defining moment came in the final over, with Farhan converting a 99 to a century with a single off Gerhard Erasmus, igniting celebrations among the Pakistani supporters.
“Sahibzada has been outstanding,” said Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the post-match presentation. “The way he’s been batting the last six months, I’m very happy for him.”
Namibia’s chase never gained momentum, stifled by Pakistan’s spin attack. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz combined to take seven wickets for just 35 runs, dismantling the Namibian batting lineup. Usman Tariq proved particularly devastating, claiming 4 for 16 and leaving Namibian batsmen struggling to read his variations. According to analysis of the match, Namibia’s control percentage against Tariq was a mere 52.38%, highlighting the difficulty they faced in picking his deliveries.
“It’s tough [even] facing him in the nets,” Agha remarked about Tariq. “I have played him in domestic cricket, and it’s very hard. He’s tough to pick, and when he pauses, it becomes very difficult. But I’m very happy he’s playing for us and very happy for him the way he’s bowling. I really hope he can bowl in the business end the way he’s bowling right now and win us more games.”
The victory comes as a relief for Pakistan, who entered the match under considerable pressure. A loss would have not only eliminated them from the tournament but also continued a worrying trend of early exits from major ICC competitions. The team’s performance against Namibia demonstrated a “complete performance,” as described by Agha, encompassing strong batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding.
Pakistan’s strategy throughout the tournament has leaned heavily on spin bowling, a decision that has drawn some scrutiny given the limited use of specialist pace bowlers. In their four games leading up to the Super Eight, Pakistan bowled just 16.3 overs of pace compared to 60.5 overs of spin. However, Agha defended the approach, emphasizing the strength and versatility of their spin options, particularly in the Sri Lankan conditions.
“We have the luxury of spinners, allrounders who can bat and bowl,” Agha explained. “We also have proper match-winners when it comes to spin bowling. If you have that many spin bowlers in Sri Lanka, you don’t really need to bowl fast bowlers in the middle. If we need to, we have the bowlers who can do that, but right now we’re fine bowling with the spinners.”
Looking ahead to the Super Eight, Pakistan faces a challenging group that includes New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka. Agha expressed confidence in his team’s ability to continue their winning form. “I think we have been playing very good cricket, as has New Zealand,” he said. “So I’m hoping for a good game. If we replicate the way we’re playing right now, I think we’ll be fine.”
The win over Namibia not only secured Pakistan’s progression to the next stage but also provided a significant boost to team morale and reaffirmed their potential as contenders in the T20 World Cup. Farhan’s century will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment in the tournament for Pakistan, signaling a potential turning point for the team and establishing him as a key figure in the Pakistani batting lineup.
The Super Eight stage will see qualification spots for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup determined, adding another layer of significance to the upcoming matches. Pakistan will need to maintain their momentum and adapt to the challenges posed by their opponents to advance further in the tournament.
