By Asif Naveed
SPORTS DESK (MNN); Pakistan defeated Namibia by 102 runs in their Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday, sealing a place in the Super Eights stage.
After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first and posted an imposing total of 199-3, setting a 200-run target for Namibia. Opener Sahibzada Farhan played a sensational innings, scoring his maiden T20 International century off 57 balls, smashing four sixes and 11 fours. He became only the second Pakistani batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in a T20 World Cup. Ahmed Shehzad had achieved the feat against Bangladesh in 2014.
Pakistan’s first wicket fell at 40 when Saim Ayub was dismissed for 14. Captain Salman Agha contributed 38 runs, while Khawaja Nafay added five. Two changes were made to the playing XI at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed making way for Khawaja Nafay and Salman Mirza.
Chasing 200, Namibia were bowled out for just 97 in 18 overs. Openers Lorraine Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck added 32 runs before Frylinck was dismissed for nine by Salman Mirza. Captain Gerhard Erasmus managed only seven before being caught behind off Shadab Khan, while Steenkamp scored 23.
Usman Tariq led Pakistan’s bowling attack with four wickets, Shadab Khan claimed three, and Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Mirza took one each.
With this victory, Pakistan joined India from Group A in qualifying for the Super Eights. Pakistan will now face New Zealand on February 21, England on February 24 and Sri Lanka on February 28 in the next stage.
Speaking after the match, Shadab Khan said the team remained confident about winning the World Cup despite earlier setbacks. Pakistan had bounced back strongly after losing to arch-rivals India.
“We are on the right track and following a process to achieve our goal of winning the World Cup,” Shadab said, adding that the Super Eights would be highly competitive with all matches carrying intense pressure.
Captain Salman Agha described the win as a “complete performance,” praising Sahibzada Farhan’s consistency over the past six months and lauding the bowlers for their disciplined effort.
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus acknowledged his side had lessons to learn after losing all four group matches. He said the experience would help them prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup next year, which Namibia will co-host with South Africa and Zimbabwe.
