Pakistan Crush Namibia by 102 Runs to Seal Super Eights Spot, South Africa beats UAE

 


Pakistan booked their place in the Super Eights of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a dominant 102-run victory over Namibia, producing their most complete performance of the tournament in Colombo.

Choosing to bat first at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Pakistan posted an imposing total of 199 for three, powered by a brilliant maiden T20 international century from Sahibzada Farhan. The 29-year-old remained unbeaten on 100 from 58 deliveries, striking 11 boundaries and four sixes in a commanding innings.

Farhan found strong support from captain Salman Agha, who scored a fluent 38 off 23 balls in a 67-run stand for the second wicket. Shadab Khan, promoted up the order in the absence of Babar Azam, added late impetus with an unbeaten 36 off 22, as he and Farhan plundered 81 runs in just 6.4 overs.

Under pressure after their defeat to India, Pakistan knew another loss would end their campaign. Farhan ensured that scenario never materialised, reaching his century in the final over after a flurry of boundaries off Jack Brassell and a single against Gerhard Erasmus.

Namibia’s reply started brightly through opener Louren Steenkamp, who raced to 23, but the chase quickly unravelled as wickets fell at regular intervals. Pakistan’s decision to drop Shaheen Shah Afridi paid off, with their spinners leading the charge instead.

Shadab Khan impressed with the ball as well, taking 3 for 19 and removing key batters, including captain Erasmus. Usman Tariq was the standout bowler, claiming career-best figures of 4 for 16 and cleaning up the tail as Namibia were bowled out for just 97.

The emphatic win lifted Pakistan into the Super Eights, while Namibia remained rooted to the bottom of the group.


Meanwhile , South Africa maintained their perfect record in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a comfortable six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, reaching a modest target of 123 with 40 balls remaining.

After choosing to bowl first, the Proteas produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict the UAE to 122 for six. Experienced pacer Corbin Bosch was the standout performer with figures of 3 for 12 from his four overs, while Anrich Nortje supported him well by picking up two wickets for 28 runs.

In reply, rain briefly delayed the start of South Africa’s chase, and the opening over yielded just a single run. However, the tempo quickly shifted as the South African batters attacked, scoring 13 runs in the second over and 18 in the third. Captain Aiden Markram provided early momentum with a brisk 28 off 11 balls, most of which came through boundaries, before being dismissed by Haider Ali.

Dewald Brevis top-scored with 36, while Ryan Rickelton added a steady 30 as South Africa cruised to 123 for four in 13.2 overs, finishing the match with a string of singles after losing their fourth wicket.

For the UAE, Alishan Sharafu was the highest scorer with 45 from 38 balls, but his innings ended when he was caught in the deep off Nortje in the 18th over.

This win marked South Africa’s fourth straight victory in the tournament, which included a dramatic double Super Over triumph against Afghanistan. The unbeaten Proteas will now face India in the Super Eights, a rematch of the 2024 final, in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

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