KEY POINTS
- Sahibzada Farhan smashed 100 off 58 balls, guiding Pakistan to formidable 199.
- Farhan and Shadab Khan plundered 81 runs in the final 6.4 overs.
- Usman Tariq (4/16) and Shadab Khan (3/19) led a spectacular bowling attack
- Pakistan dismantle Namibia’s chase and bundling them out for just 97.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Pakistan produced a commanding all-round performance to thrash Namibia by 102 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group A encounter, riding on Sahibzada Farhan’s magnificent unbeaten century to qualify for Super Eight round.
Farhan shines with maiden T20I hundred
Electing to bat first at the prestigious SSC ground, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 199/3 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to a batting masterclass from opener Sahibzada Farhan.
The right-hander remained unconquered on 100 off just 58 balls, anchoring the innings with exquisite timing and power.
His knock was laced with 11 boundaries and four massive sixes, setting the platform for a massive total.
After the early departure of Saim Ayub (14), caught behind off Jack Brassell in the fifth over, Farhan found an able partner in captain Salman Agha.
The pair added 67 runs for the second wicket, with Salman playing a fiery cameo of 38 from 23 balls before falling to Gerhard Erasmus.
Following a brief hiccup when Khawaja Nafay departed for a quickfire 5, Farhan was joined by Shadab Khan.
The duo plundered 81 runs in the final 6.4 overs, with Shadab playing the perfect finisher’s role, smashing an unbeaten 36 off just 22 deliveries, including three sixes.
Pakistan’s innings closed at a commanding 199/3.
For Namibia, Jack Brassell was the pick of the bowlers with 2/48, but he and the rest of the attack bled runs on a good batting surface.
Spinners and Tariq run riot
Chasing a steep 200, Namibia’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of a mounting required rate and some disciplined Pakistani bowling.
The chase never gained momentum as they were skittled out for just 97 in 17.3 overs.
Left-arm spinner Usman Tariq was the destroyer-in-chief, running through the lower order to claim sensational figures of 4/16 in his 3.3 overs, including a maiden.
He was ably supported by vice-captain Shadab Khan, who picked up 3/19 in his four-over spell, keeping the batters in check with his variations.
Namibia’s top order offered little resistance. Openers Louren Steenkamp (23) and Jan Frylinck (9) started cautiously, but wickets tumbled regularly.
The only notable resistance came from Alexander Busing-Volschenk, who scored 20 before being stumped off Shadab’s bowling.
The rest of the batting lineup folded meekly, with four batters failing to reach double figures.
Brief Scores
Pakistan 199/3 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 100, Shadab Khan 36; Jack Brassell 2/48)
Namibia 97 all out in 17.3 overs (A. Busing-Volschenk 20; Usman Tariq 4/16, Shadab Khan 3/19)
Result: Pakistan won by 102 runs.
