In a crucial T20 World Cup encounter, Pakistan made a confident start against Namibia at the SSC Cricket Ground in Colombo on February 18, 2026. After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bat first in what turned out to be their final group stage match. The stakes were clear. A win or even a rain affected washout would secure their place in the Super Eights stage.
Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan gave Pakistan a steady foundation. Saim scored 14 runs before being caught behind, ending a promising start. Captain Salman Ali Agha stepped in and added valuable runs but was dismissed after scoring 38. Khawaja Nafay could not contribute much and departed early with just five runs.
Despite a few setbacks, Pakistan maintained control of the innings. With Sahibzada Farhan and Shadab Khan at the crease, the team reached a strong total of 177 for 3 in 18 overs. The performance reflected Pakistan’s determination to recover from their earlier defeat against India.
Pakistan entered this match with four points in Group A, having secured wins against the Netherlands and USA before losing to India. A defeat in this fixture would mean elimination from the tournament, making this contest extremely important. On the other hand, Namibia were already struggling in the tournament after losing all three of their previous matches and were hoping to end their campaign on a positive note.
Historically, Pakistan and Namibia have faced each other once in T20 Internationals, with Pakistan claiming victory. As the match unfolds, all eyes remain on whether the Green Shirts can seal their spot in the Super Eights and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
