Farhan’s maiden ton helps Pakistan become final team to qualify for Super Eights

Pakistan rode on Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden international century and a disciplined spin display to beat Namibia national cricket team by 102 runs and enter the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup in Colombo on Wednesday.

Asked to bat, Pakistan posted 199 for three in its must-win fixture at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Farhan remained unbeaten on 100 off 58 balls, needing just 20 deliveries to move from fifty to his hundred. He became only the second Pakistan batter to score a century in the men’s T20 World Cup after Ahmed Shehzad’s ton against Bangladesh in 2014 at Mirpur.

Farhan struck 11 fours and four sixes, adding 67 runs with captain Salman Ali Agha (38 off 23) and 81 with Shadab Khan (36 not out off 22).

Pakistan made 47 for one in the PowerPlay, losing Saim Ayub for 14. The scoring rate dipped briefly before Salman shifted gears in the ninth over, striking Willem Myburgh for a six over long-on. Farhan followed with two sixes off the leg-spinner as Pakistan gathered momentum through the middle overs.

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Salman was caught by Gerhard Erasmus off Ben Brassell soon after, while Khawaja Nafay made a brief start before being caught and bowled by Erasmus. Farhan anchored the innings, and Shadab finished strongly with two sixes in the final over.

In reply, Namibia was bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq returned career-best figures of 4 for 16, while Shadab claimed 3 for 19. Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz picked up a wicket each as Namibia’s campaign ended without a win.

The result also ensured Pakistan’s qualification for the next T20 World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2028. It was Pakistan’s biggest margin of victory in the tournament.

Published on Feb 18, 2026