PAK vs NAM Match Highlights T20 World Cup 2026 Today Updates: Usman Tariq’s Four-For Leads Pakistan to 103-Run Victory Over Namibia, Seals Super 8 Spot

Pakistan stormed into the Super Eight after overpowering Namibia by 103 runs in their crucial Group A clash in Colombo. The win was set up by a stunning unbeaten century from opener Sahibzada Farhan, who hammered 100 off 58 balls, striking 11 fours and four sixes to propel Pakistan to 199/3. Captain Salman Agha contributed a brisk 38 from 23 deliveries, while Shadab Khan added a handy 36 off 22 to boost the total.

Namibia’s chase never gathered momentum as Pakistan’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Usman Tariq led the attack with a four-wicket haul, bundling the opposition out for 97 in 17.3 overs. Louren Steenkamp (23) and Alexander Volschenk (20) were the only notable contributors as Pakistan sealed a comprehensive victory and confirmed their progression to the next stage.

The 11th over from Mohammad Nawaz went for 10 runs as Namibia tried to rebuild. Alexander Volschenk provided the spark by lofting a full delivery straight down the ground for a six, while the rest of the over saw singles being nudged around and a wide added to the tally. JJ Smit supported with a single but struggled to break free. After 11 overs, Namibia were 72/4, still requiring 128 runs to win.

The eighth over from Shadab Khan produced a key breakthrough as Namibia slipped further in the chase. After being struck for a boundary and a couple early, Shadab bounced out Gerhard Erasmus, who edged behind while attempting a late cut. A few singles followed as Namibia reached 51/4.

In the ninth over, Mohammad Nawaz maintained the squeeze with a tidy spell that conceded seven runs. Alexander Volschenk managed a powerful straight boundary, while JJ Smit picked up a couple but struggled to find fluency. At the end of nine overs, Namibia were 58/4, requiring another 142 runs to complete the chase.

The second over from Salman Mirza was largely disciplined, conceding just six runs as Namibia moved to 15/0 in their chase of 200. He kept things tight with probing lines, allowing only a leg bye early on, before Jan Frylinck broke the shackles with a late boundary to third man. Louren Steenkamp was kept quiet at the other end. After two overs, Namibia were 15/0, needing 185 more runs to win.

The social media is going gaga over Babar Azam’s absence as the star batter didn’t get a chance to play despite being in the playing XI at No. 3. Memes are coming in thick and fast as the fans can’t get enough of it. 

The 17th over proved expensive for Namibia as JJ Smit leaked 17 runs, allowing Pakistan to surge to 157/3. It began with singles to both batters before Sahibzada Farhan took charge — smashing a flat six over long-off and then drilling a full delivery straight down the ground for four. Farhan kept the momentum ticking with another single, while Shadab Khan finished the over in style, slashing a short, wide ball over short third man for a boundary. A big over that firmly tilted the momentum Pakistan’s way heading into the final three overs.

After 16 overs of play, Pakistan are going over 8 runs per over and Sahibzada Farhan will now be a key figure to get the Men in Green to a big total. He is well set in the 70s and timing the ball really well. PAK need a big win to avoid any further hiccups as the Super 8 stage looms. 

He is reading it well. Sahibzada Farhan smashes two out of the park on the trot. That’s the third maximum in the over. 22 runs from that over but there is a bit of concern for Pakistan. Farhan looks in some pain. Seems like a cramp

This was inevitable. Saim AYub hasn’t looked good today. He was just throwing his bat on everything. Jack Brassell bowls that full, way outside off and Ayub just throws his bat on it. The ball takes the edge and the wicket-keeper takes a good catch behind the stumps

ALMOST AN OPPORTUNITY for NAMIBIA. Erasmus bowls one outside off that turns away from Saim Ayub. He tries to slash it hard but doesn’t time it well and that takes the top edge. It falls away from the fielder stationed at backward point. THAT WAS CLOSE!

The two openers are out in the middle. Sahibzada Farhan will take the strike. Pakistan would want him to score enough runs, NOT TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY but the side needs a good start in this important game

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq

Namibia: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Alexander Volschenk, JJ Smit, Zane Green(w), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Jack Brassell

Salman Ali Agha says they have made two changes– Who GOES OUT?

“We are going to bat first. We have played two games here, it is a good pitch, we want to put runs on the board and put pressure on them. When you come to the World Cup you have to pretty much win every game. We batted well against USA and have to do the same. We have two changes,” Salman said.

So, the news from the centre is that Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first. Good decision under these circumstances. Put up a good total on the board

USA who are sitting at number two in this Group A can also qualify for Super 8 but Pakistan will have to lose this game for that. This is certainly turning out to be an interesting group.

There have been reports that Pakistan might DROP Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi from the Playing XI from this game. They want to give a chance to younger crop. The decision would make sense, considering the kind of form that Babar and Shaheen have been in. Babar has just been playing TEST CRICKET fast-paced T20Is.

Hello and welcome to the LIVE COVERAGE of the Pakistan vs Namibia match in Colombo. It’s an important fixture for Pakistan. A win or a wash out will take them into the Super 8 stage.