Colombo, February 18, 2026: Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat Namibia by 102 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Wednesday, sealing their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Chasing a daunting target of 200, Namibia were bowled out for just 97 in 17.3 overs, as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the innings.
Namibia made a cautious start, with openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck adding 32 runs. Frylinck scored nine off 11 balls before being clean bowled by Salman Mirza. The momentum faded quickly when Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was run out for five at 39-2 in the final over of the powerplay.
Steenkamp fought briefly, scoring 23 off 22 balls with three fours and a six, but was dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz. Captain Gerhard Erasmus managed only seven before falling to Shadab Khan. Alexander Busing-Volschenk attempted to steady the innings with 20 off 20 balls, but Shadab struck again to reduce Namibia to 79-5 in 12.3 overs.
Usman Tariq then ripped through the lower order, dismissing JJ Smit for nine and Ruben Trumpelmann for a duck. Shadab completed his three-wicket haul by removing Zane Green for seven, while Tariq wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Bernard Scholtz (1) and Willem Myburgh (8).
Tariq finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 16 in 3.3 overs, while Shadab Khan claimed three wickets. Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 199, built on a strong opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. The duo added 40 runs before Ayub was dismissed for 14 off 12 balls by Jack Brassell.
Captain Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan, and the pair stitched together a vital 67-run partnership for the second wicket to take Pakistan past the 100-run mark. Farhan continued his fluent stroke play to register his 10th T20I half-century. The stand ended when Brassell struck again, dismissing Agha for a brisk 38 off 23 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.
In a surprise move, Babar Azam did not bat at number three, with Khawaja Nafay promoted instead. Nafay’s stay was short-lived as he scored five off five balls before being dismissed by Erasmus.
Shadab Khan then joined Farhan and, after a slow start, accelerated well in the closing overs. Farhan remained the centerpiece of the innings, reaching his maiden T20 international century and becoming only the second Pakistani batter, after Ahmed Shehzad, to score a hundred in a T20 World Cup.
The pair added a valuable 50-run stand for the fourth wicket, powering Pakistan towards a strong finish. Farhan remained unbeaten on 100 off 58 balls, smashing 11 fours and four sixes, while Shadab scored 36 off 22 deliveries, including one four and three sixes.
The emphatic victory underlined Pakistan’s strong form in the tournament as they comfortably booked their spot in the Super Eight stage.
