In this big Group A clash in Colombo, Pakistan thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s magical innings powered the Men in Green to 199/3 in 20 overs against a hapless Namibia side. And while defending the score, Pakistan have begun well and are picking wickets at regular intervals and now in pole position to win this one and qualify for Super 8s. Namibia in danger of going out without a win.
Pakistan strikes twice in powerplay to dent Namibia.Â
Chasing 200 for the win, Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck came out to open for Namibia while Faheem Ashraf had ball in hand for Pakistan. Steenkamp took on Faheem and launched it over the bowler’s head for the maximum. Mohammad Nawaz dropped the catch as Frylinck got a lifeline. Salman Mirza had ball in hand for Pakistan from the other end.
Frylinck opened the bat face and steered it to deep third man fence for a boundary. Faheem Ashraf continued as Steenkamp cleared his front leg and cleared mid-on for a boundary. Saim Ayub came onto the attack next. Steenkamp shuffled across and swept it over deep fine leg for a boundary. Steenkamp cut the ball past backward point for a boundary.
Mirza provided the breakthrough for Pakistan as he removed Frylinck for 9 off 11 balls with one boundary to his name. Mirza from over the wicket bowled a good length delivery outside the off-stump. A cross seam delivery that nipped back in a shade. Frylinck made room on the leg side and looked to cut but missed it. The ball cannoned into the middle and leg stump. Nicol Loftie Eaton came out to bat next. He got off the mark as well. Eaton made room and shimmied down and lofted it over covers for a boundary.
Ayub continued and we had a run out with Loftie Eaton falling for 5 off 5 balls as there was a mix up between the two batters in question. Drinks was taken after which Gerhard Erasmus the captain came out to bat next. Namibia reached 40/2 in 6 overs with Steenkamp unbeaten on 22 off 18 balls alongside Erasmus unbeaten on 0 off 2 balls.
Pakistan strikes twice again in next 4 overs to have a firm stranglehold of the match.Â
Mohammad Nawaz came into the attack after the powerplay. He struck for Pakistan as he removed Steenkamp for 23 off 22 balls with 3 fours and one six to his name. Nawaz bowled full on the leg stump that turned away. Steenkamp bent his back knee and looked to heave it across the line. He got a top edge that goes straight up in the air. Usman Khan called for it and took a simple catch with the gloves on. Alexander Busing Volschenk came out to bat next.
Shadab Khan came into the attack next as Erasmus went deep in the crease and cut it between short third and backward point for a boundary. Shadab then dismissed Erasmus for 7 off 6 balls with one four to his name. Shadab bowled a good length outside the off-stump that turns away a fraction. Erasmus hung back and opened the bat face of the bat and straight into the gloves of the keeper. JJ Smit came out to bat next and got off the mark as well. The 50 came up for Namibia in 7.4 overs.
Nawaz continued as Volschenk shimmied down the ground and thumped it over the bowler’s head for a boundary. Shadab continued and bowled another tight over. Namibia reached 62/4 in 10 overs with Smit unbeaten on 4 off 7 balls and Volschenk on 8* off 9 balls. Namibia up against it now.
What Lies Ahead.Â
So, Namibia are up against it and will lose this game now. Pakistan dictating terms in Colombo. Even a miracle would not save Namibia. So, we expect Namibia to fold up or just play 20 overs but will fall short. Pakistan will want to be as clinical as possible before Super 8s stage. Let’s see how the rest of chase unfolds from here.
Also Read: ICC T20 WC 2026: Sahibzada Farhan’s Magical Ton Powers Pakistan To 199/3.