Clinical Pakistan secure Super Eight spot courtesy of Farhan’s ton

A dominant all-round display saw Pakistan secure a thumping 102-run victory over Namibia on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club, confirming their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Chasing a challenging target of 200, Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs, undone by disciplined Pakistan bowling and sharp fielding.

Namibia began steadily, with openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck adding 32 for the first wicket. Frylinck made nine off 11 balls, including a boundary off Salman Mirza, before being bowled.

Momentum was lost when Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was run out for five at the end of the powerplay, leaving Namibia 39 for two in the sixth over. Steenkamp followed soon after, scoring 23 off 22 deliveries, including three fours and a six, before falling to Mohammad Nawaz.

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus struggled to steady the innings, managing just seven before being dismissed by Shadab Khan. Alexander Busing-Volschenk offered brief resistance with 20 from 20 balls but was also trapped by Shadab, leaving Namibia 79 for five in the 13th over.

Pakistan tightened their grip as Usman Tariq removed JJ Smit for nine and Ruben Trumpelmann for a duck. Shadab claimed his third wicket by dismissing Zane Green for seven, while Tariq completed the rout by accounting for Bernard Scholtz (1) and Willem Myburgh (8).

Batting first, Pakistan made a confident start as openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan attacked from the outset, scoring freely to put early pressure on the bowling side.

The pair raced to 40 runs before Ayub was dismissed for 14 off 12 balls, including two fours, by Jack Brassell.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha then joined Farhan at the crease, and the duo steadied the innings with a composed 67-run partnership for the second wicket.

Their stand took Pakistan beyond the 100-run mark and laid the foundation for a strong total.

Farhan continued to dominate the innings, finding the boundary with ease as he brought up his 10th T20 international fifty. The partnership was eventually broken when Brassell struck for the second time, removing Agha for 38 off 23 balls, an innings that included three fours and two sixes, with Pakistan on 107 for two in the 13th over.

In a surprise move, Babar Azam was held back, with Khawaja Nafay promoted up the order. His stay, however, was brief, as he was dismissed for five off five balls by opposing captain Gerhard Erasmus.

With Shadab Khan joining Farhan, Pakistan briefly lost momentum as Shadab struggled for timing. Farhan, however, maintained the tempo, striking regular boundaries to take Pakistan past 150.

The right-hander reached his maiden T20 international century, becoming only the second Pakistan batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a hundred in a T20 World Cup.

Farhan and Shadab added a valuable 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with Shadab finding his rhythm late in the innings.

Pakistan finished strongly, with Farhan unbeaten on 100 from 58 deliveries, an innings featuring 11 fours and four sixes. Shadab provided late impetus with 36 off 22 balls, including one four and three sixes, as Pakistan closed on 199 for three.