Pallekele, Feb 24 (UNI) Pakistan posted a competitive 164 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs against England in the Super 8 Group 2 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan rode on a composed 63 off 45 balls by Sahibzada Farhan to anchor the innings after early jolts. Farhan struck seven fours and two sixes, holding the innings together as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.
Pakistan lost Saim Ayub early for 7, caught off Jofra Archer, while skipper Salman Agha departed for 5. Babar Azam made 25 off 24 balls but failed to accelerate, falling to Jamie Overton at 73 for 3 in the 11th over.
Farhan found brief support from Fakhar Zaman, who chipped in with a brisk 25 off 16 deliveries, including two boundaries and as many sixes. The pair helped Pakistan cross the 120-mark before England struck back through their spinners.
Liam Dawson was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 24 in his four overs, removing Salman Agha, Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz in a decisive spell through the middle overs. Overton claimed 2 for 26, including the crucial wickets of Farhan and Babar, while Archer picked up two scalps.
Shadab Khan provided late impetus with a quickfire 23 off 11 balls, striking four boundaries, but was run out off the final delivery as Pakistan finished at 164 for 9, scoring 46 runs in the powerplay.
England will now require 165 runs to secure victory and strengthen their position in the Super 8 stage.
