Opener Sahibzada Farhan showcased a strong performance with a solid half-century, supported by spinner Usman Tariq who secured three wickets, leading Pakistan to a 32-run victory over the United States in a T20 World Cup Group A match in Colombo. Farhan, aged 29, smashed five sixes and six fours in his 41-ball 73, while Babar Azam contributed a valuable 46 off 32 balls, guiding Pakistan to a formidable total of 190-9 at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
Pakistan’s spin bowlers, particularly Tariq with figures of 3-27 and Shadab Khan with 2-26, effectively contained the inexperienced USA batting lineup, limiting them to 158-8 in their allotted 20 overs.
This win served as redemption for Pakistan following their unexpected loss to the USA in the previous T20 World Cup, marking their second consecutive victory after a narrow three-wicket win against the Netherlands. Shubham Ranjane was the top scorer for the USA with a brave 51 off 30 balls, including three sixes and as many fours before being dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was playing in his 100th T20 international match.
Opener Shayan Jahangir contributed with a quick 49 off 34 balls, supported by Milind Kumar’s 29 runs before the USA team faltered from 123-3, ultimately losing the match.
In the initial stages, Farhan and Saim Ayub, who scored a brisk 19 off 17 balls, established a solid opening partnership of 54 runs in five overs. However, Pakistan faced a setback losing two quick wickets in the sixth over bowled by Shadley van Schalkwyk.
Farhan and Azam then took charge, forging an 81-run partnership for the third wicket, accelerating Pakistan’s run rate in the middle overs. Farhan reached a milestone of 1,000 T20 international runs in his 41st match before being caught off spinner Harmeet Singh in the 16th over.
Shadab Khan provided a late flurry with 30 off 12 balls, but Pakistan suffered a collapse, losing five wickets for just 13 runs in the final two overs.
Van Schalkwyk emerged as the standout bowler for the USA with figures of 4-25, continuing his impressive form from the previous match against India where he also took four wickets in a 29-run defeat.
