By Alam Zeb Safi
COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan’s blistering 73 and a late onslaught from Shadab Khan powered Pakistan to a 32-run victory over the United States in their Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Tuesday.
This is the second successive win from Pakistan after they had downed Netherlands by three runs after a tense clash in their opening.
Put in to bat after losing the toss, Pakistan posted a competitive 190 for nine on a true Colombo surface before their bowlers combined to restrict the United States to 158 for eight in the chase.
Pakistan made a steady start through Saim Ayub, who struck 19 from 17 balls, but it was Farhan who seized control of the innings. The right-hander dominated the powerplay and beyond, smashing six fours and five sixes in a 41-ball knock that set the platform for a big total.
Captain Salman Agha fell cheaply, and Pakistan briefly lost momentum when Babar Azam slowed down after a fluent start. Babar still contributed a vital 46 from 32 balls, sharing a key third-wicket stand with Farhan that took Pakistan past 130.
The United States clawed back with disciplined bowling from Shadley van Schalkwyk, who claimed four wickets for 25 runs, removing Farhan, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub. Despite losing wickets in a cluster, Pakistan surged at the death as Shadab hammered 30 from just 12 balls while Shaheen Shah Afridi added a late six to lift the total to 190.
Chasing 191, the United States showed intent early through Shayan Jahangir, who struck 49 from 34 balls, and later through Shubham Ranjane, whose’ aggressive 51 off 30 kept the contest alive. However, regular wickets prevented the chase from gaining sustained momentum.
Pakistan’s spinners applied the brakes in the middle overs, with Shadab Khan leading the way with figures of two for 26. Usman Tariq then turned the game decisively, picking up three wickets in the death overs to halt any late surge.
Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Ranjane at a crucial moment and despite the United States reaching 150 in the 19th over, the required rate proved too steep as they closed on 158 for eight.
The win gave Pakistan two valuable points in Group A and they reached four points while the United States remained winless after the contest.
Summarised Scorecard
Pakistan 190/9 (20 overs)
Sahibzada Farhan 73 (41), Babar Azam 46 (32), Shadab Khan 30 (12), Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25, Saurabh Netravalkar 1/40
USA 158/8 (20 overs): Shubham Ranjane 51 (30), Shayan Jahangir 49 (34), Milind Kumar 29 (22), Usman Tariq 3/27, Shadab Khan 2/26
Result: Pakistan won by 32 runs
Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Points: Pakistan 2, United States 0
