Sahibzada Farhan smashed his first international T20 century and Usman Tariq confused Namibia with his mystery spin as Pakistan secured a Super 8s spot at the T20 World Cup with a 102-run win on Wednesday.
Opening batter Farhan smashed an unbeaten 100 off 58 balls, featuring four sixes and 11 boundaries, while futher contributions from captain Salman Ali Agha (38) and Shadab Khan (36 not out) carried Pakistan to 199-3 in the Group A game in Colombo.
Tariq, who has a distinctive pause-and-bowl action, then grabbed 4-16 and Shadab took 3-19 as Namibia were dismissed for 97 in 17.3 overs, for their fourth-straight loss in the tournament.
South Africa end group stage unbeaten
South Africa chased down a victory target of 123 with 40 balls to spare against the United Arab Emirates to end the group stage unbeaten.
South Africa opted to field first and restricted the UAE to 122-6, with veteran pace bowlers Corbin Bosch returning 3-12 from four overs and Anrich Nortje taking 2-28.
The South Africans raced to 123-4 in 13.2 overs, taking the last seven runs in singles after their fourth wicket fell.
Rain showers delayed the start of South Africa’s reply and then the first over netted just one run.
But from that point on, the Proteas accelerated to victory by adding 13 runs off the second over and 18 from the third until Haider Ali bowled skipper Aiden Markram for 28 from 11 balls – all but two of his runs coming from boundaries.
Dewald Brevis led the scoring with 36 before he was out within two scoring shots of victory, and Ryan Rickelton scored 30 as the 2024 runners-up dominated the bowling.
It was South Africa’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament, including a double-tiebreaker victory over 2024 semi-finalist Afghanistan that required two Super Overs.
England Super 8s fixtures
- vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele) – Sunday February 22 (9.30am)
- vs Pakistan (Pallekele) – Tuesday February 24 (1.30pm)
- vs New Zealand (Colombo) – Friday February 27 (1.30pm)
Watch every game from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports Cricket, including the competition final on Sunday March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
