Colombo, Feb 10 (UNI) Sahibzada Farhan delivered a top-class, match-defining innings as Pakistan defeated the United States of America by 32 runs in a Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club here on Tuesday.
The win boosted Pakistan’s confidence and strengthened their position in the group stage.
After winning the toss, the USA chose to bowl, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, Pakistan’s openers quickly took command. Farhan played a brilliant 73 off 41 balls, striking six fours and five sixes, blending aggression with composure to anchor the innings. He received crucial support from Babar Azam, who contributed 46 off 32 balls, building a strong foundation for the middle and lower order. Shadab Khan’s late blitz of 30 off just 12 deliveries helped Pakistan reach a competitive 190 for 9 in 20 overs.
For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs, while Mohammad Mohsin and Harmeet Singh took a wicket each. Despite their efforts, the American bowlers could not prevent Pakistan from posting a challenging total.
Chasing 191, the USA started positively but struggled to maintain momentum against the disciplined Pakistan bowling. Shayan Jahangir top-scored with 49 off 34 balls, while Shubham Ranjane’s 51 off 30 deliveries kept hopes alive. However, regular wickets at crucial stages stalled the chase.
Usman Tariq led Pakistan’s bowling with 3 for 27, supported by Shadab Khan’s two wickets. Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz struck once each, and Shaheen Afridi bowled with control to limit scoring opportunities. The USA were eventually restricted to 158 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Farhan’s innings proved decisive, combining timing, power, and composure to set the tone for Pakistan’s innings. His performance, hailed as “match-defining” by commentators, gave Pakistan the momentum and confidence needed to dominate the contest.
The victory highlighted Pakistan’s all-round strength, with contributions from top-order batsmen, middle-order finishers, and a disciplined bowling attack. Pakistan will look to carry this momentum into their remaining group matches, while the USA will aim to regroup and strengthen their strategies ahead of their next fixtures.
Farhan’s stellar knock, along with the team’s collective effort, ensured Pakistan emerged victorious, making a clear statement on the world stage and sending a strong message to their Group A rivals.
