Farhan’s Blazing 73 Powers Pakistan to 190/9 Against USA

Colombo, Feb 2026 : A commanding batting display led by opener Sahibzada Farhan helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 190 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs against the USA in a Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club here on Tuesday.

Pakistan got off to a positive start with openers Saim Ayub and Farhan laying a solid foundation. The duo stitched together a brisk 54-run partnership for the first wicket, ensuring early momentum. Ayub played a supporting role, scoring 19 runs off 17 deliveries before being dismissed, while Farhan took charge from the outset with his aggressive intent and fluent strokeplay.

Farhan was the standout performer of the innings, producing a dazzling knock of 73 runs from just 41 balls. The left-hander struck six boundaries and launched five towering sixes, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace. His fearless approach unsettled the USA bowlers and allowed Pakistan to maintain a strong run rate during the powerplay and beyond.

Following Ayub’s departure, Pakistan briefly lost momentum, but Farhan found an ideal partner in former skipper Babar Azam. The pair combined to add a crucial 81 runs for the third wicket, steadying the innings at a key juncture. Babar played a composed knock of 46 off 32 balls, mixing caution with timely aggression. His ability to rotate strike and capitalize on loose deliveries complemented Farhan’s attacking style, ensuring Pakistan stayed on course for a big total.

The innings, however, lost some steam in the latter half as wickets fell at regular intervals. Captain Salman Agha and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz were unable to convert their starts into meaningful contributions. Run-outs further hampered Pakistan’s momentum, with Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed departing in quick succession, disrupting the flow during the death overs.

Despite the setbacks, Pakistan found late impetus through Shadab Khan, who played a crucial cameo. Shadab hammered 30 runs off just 12 balls at a strike rate of 250, providing the final flourish the innings needed. Shaheen Afridi also chipped in with a quick unbeaten 9 off four deliveries, helping Pakistan push their total close to the 200-run mark.

For the USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk was the most impressive bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 25 from his four overs. His disciplined lines and timely breakthroughs kept Pakistan in check at different stages. Saurabh Netravalkar, Mohammad Mohsin, and Harmeet Singh claimed one wicket each but struggled to contain runs during Pakistan’s key partnerships.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 190/9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 73, Babar Azam 46; Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25, Mohammad Mohsin 1/27) vs USA