pakistan vs namibia: Sahibzada Farhan’s century propels Pakistan into Super 8s
Pakistan secured a Super 8s spot at the Men's T20 World Cup with a dominant 102-run victory over Namibia on Wednesday (ET), powered by an unbeaten century from opener Sahibzada Farhan and a destructive spell from mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
Farhan’s maiden T20 hundred sets the tone
Farhan produced a statement innings, finishing 100 not out off 58 deliveries, striking four sixes and 11 boundaries as he carried Pakistan to a formidable 199 for 3. The 22-year-old anchored the innings with calculated aggression, forming useful partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking and allowed the middle order to play freely.
Captain Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 38, while Shadab Khan provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 36 to push Pakistan past the 190-mark. The total proved more than enough on a wicket that offered some assistance to slow bowlers but generally favoured strokeplay under lights.
Usman Tariq’s mystery spin and Shadab’s control finish the job
Namibia's chase never gained momentum once Tariq introduced his unorthodox, pause-and-bowl action. The spinner finished with career-best figures of 4 for 16, unsettling batters with variations in flight and rhythm. Shadab complemented the attack with three wickets for 19 runs as Namibia were bundled out for 97 in 17. 3 overs.
The visitors managed only sporadic resistance. A promising start fizzled as regular wickets fell, and Pakistan’s bowlers squeezed scoring opportunities, forcing batters into risky shots. The 102-run margin confirmed Pakistan’s place in the Super 8s and delivered a timely boost to their campaign.
Group implications and the wider group stage picture
The win ensures Pakistan join other qualified sides in the next phase of the competition. The victory also came on a day when one of the stronger teams in the pool wrapped up their group stage unbeaten. That side chased 123 with comfortable room to spare after restricting their opponents to 122 for 6, courtesy of incisive pace bowling that produced early breakthroughs.
In that match, pace bowlers combined to stifle scoring in the early overs, but the chasing side accelerated cleanly once set, finishing off the chase inside 14 overs. Contributions from top-order batters and a measured approach ensured a controlled victory, highlighting the contrast between teams that have found form early and those still searching for momentum.
For Pakistan, the priority now shifts to recovery and fine-tuning ahead of the Super 8s. Farhan’s emergence as a reliable top-order option adds a new dimension to the batting unit, while Tariq’s spell gives the team another attacking bowling variation they can deploy in tighter contests. The balance of power in the coming stage will hinge on how well squads manage form, fitness and tactical plans under pressure.
Namibia, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. Their tournament has been punctuated by spirited moments but inconsistent execution has left them without a win in the group phase. The coaching staff will be expected to re-evaluate combinations and roles as the team looks to build toward future events.
With the Super 8s line-up taking shape, attention now turns to the next round, where every match carries greater consequence and teams will chase momentum, match-ups and the small margins that decide knockout-stage qualification.
