At the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 hosted in Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Pakistan delivered a stunning performance, thrashing Namibia by 102 runs and claiming their spot in the Super 8. This monumental victory also saw Pakistan setting various records.
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat first, showcasing an aggressive approach. The top order delivered a swift start while the middle order solidified it into a formidable total. Highlighting their prowess, Pakistani batsmen struck boundaries all over the field with Sahibzada Farhan's century being pivotal in achieving a 199/3 total against Namibia.
Smashing 11 fours and 4 sixes, Farhan hammered a century off just 57 balls. His unbeaten 100 in 58 deliveries marked a personal achievement against Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2026. Sam Ayub was dismissed for 14 runs, while captain Salman Agha scored a brisk 38 off 23 balls. Khawaja Nafe managed 5 runs, and Shadab Khan provided a strong finish with 36 not out in 22 deliveries.
In response, Namibia faltered, collapsing to 97 runs in 17.3 overs, solidifying Pakistan's advancement into the Super 8. Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan led the bowling attack with Tariq taking 4 wickets and Khan grabbing 3.
Making history in the T20 World Cup, Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq's stellar performance of 4/16 is now the second-best by any Pak spinner, second only to Shahid Afridi's 4/11 against the Netherlands in 2009.
Pakistan's Largest Victory Margins in T20 World Cup (by runs)
102 vs Namibia, Colombo SSC, 202682 vs Netherlands, Lord's, 200972 vs Scotland, Sharjah, 202155 vs Bangladesh, Eden Gardens, 2016
Lowest Scores against Pakistan in T20 World Cup
91/9 – Netherlands, Perth, 202293 – Netherlands, Lord's, 200997 – Namibia, Colombo SSC, 202699 – New Zealand, The Oval, 2009
Third Century in This World Cup
For Sahibzada Farhan, aged 29, this marks his maiden T20 International century and the third of this World Cup, following centuries by Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka and Canada's Yuvraj Samra.
Top Individual Scores for Pakistan in T20 World Cup
111* – Ahmed Shehzad vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2014100* – Sahibzada Farhan vs Namibia, Colombo SSC, 202694 – Umar Akmal vs Australia, Mirpur, 2014Farhan's century ranks as Pakistan's second-highest T20 World Cup innings.
Highest Team Scores for Pakistan in T20 World Cup
201/5 vs Bangladesh, Kolkata, 2016199/3 vs Namibia, Colombo SSC, 2026191/6 vs Australia, Gros Islet, 2010191/5 vs Australia, Mirpur, 2014This 199/3 against Namibia is Pakistan's second highest in T20 World Cup history.
Pakistan Won the Toss; Shaheen and Abrar Sit Out
Winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first. Captain Salman Ali Agha made two team changes, bringing in Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafe, while resting Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed. Namibia also shuffled their lineup, introducing 20-year-old Jack Brassell in place of 17-year-old Max Hingo.
Pakistan's Playing XI:
Sahibzada Farhan, Sam Ayub, Salman Agha (Captain), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper), Khawaja Nafe, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq.
Namibia's Playing XI:
Jan Frylinck, Lohan Steincke, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (Captain), Alexander Busing-Volshenck, JJ Smit, Zane Green (Wicketkeeper), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell.
