With the nerves high and no margin for error, Sahibzada Farhan delivered a punch to rescue Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. With an unbeaten 100 off 58 balls, Farhan powered Pakistan to a massive 102-run victory over Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club, making the "Men in Green" the final team to qualify for the Super Eight stage.
Entering a must-win fixture following their demoralizing loss to India, Pakistan needed a hero. Sahibzada Farhan provided a performance that will go down in the record books.
Rare air: Farhan became only the second Pakistani batter to score a century in a Men's T20 World Cup, joining Ahmed Shehzad (2014).
Gear shift: After reaching fifty in 37 balls, Farhan went into overdrive, needing just 20 more deliveries to reach his maiden international hundred.
Supporting cast: Captain Salman Ali Agha (38 off 23) provided early momentum, while Shadab Khan (36* off 22) finished the innings with a flourish, helping Pakistan post a formidable 199/3.
Namibia’s chase of 200 never recovered after a promising start. Pakistan’s spin arsenal, led by the "out-of-syllabus" mystery of Usman Tariq, proved unfathomable on the Colombo surface.
Tariq’s magic: Despite not being introduced until the 12th over, Tariq bamboozled Namibia’s lower order with carrom balls and his signature delayed-release googlies, finishing with career-best figures of 4/16.
Shadab’s all-round show: Shadab Khan complemented his batting cameo with a clinical spell of 3/19, including a sharp return catch to remove Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus.
Collapse: From a respectable 32/0, Namibia lost all ten wickets for just 65 runs, eventually being bundled out for 97.
Pakistan’s victory completes the elite eight-team lineup. They will now join Group 2 for the next stage, keeping them in Sri Lanka for their upcoming matches.
Group 1: India, West Indies, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
Group 2: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand.
I have been playing domestic cricket for five years and I don't miss a match. The hard work back home in Pakistan has finally paid off on this stage.
Sahibzada Farhan, Player of the Match
