ISLAMABAD: Sahibzada Farhan's unbeaten century powered Pakistan to 199 for three against Namibia on Wednesday, setting a towering target of 200 in a must-win T20 World Cup group match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Farhan, opening the batting, defied a knee scare midway through his innings to finish on 100 not out off 58 balls — the first century for Pakistan in this World Cup.
His knock, featuring 11 fours and four sixes, spanned all 20 overs and anchored an innings that threatened to stall before exploding in the final stages.
Slow start, explosive finish
Pakistan was measured through the powerplay, reaching 47 for one at the six-over mark — cautious but not catastrophic. Saim Ayub fell for 14, caught behind off Jack Brassell's wide, angled delivery.
Captain Salman Agha provided the spark with a 38 off 23, but was also dismissed by Brassell. Khawaja Nafay, promoted ahead of Babar Azam, lasted just five balls before holing out to Erasmus.
Pakistan reached the midpoint at 85 for one and needed to shift gears. They did.
The finishing blitz
Shadab Khan joined Farhan at the crease and the pair put on 81 for the fourth wicket. Shadab scored 36 not out off 22, clubbing consecutive sixes off Gerhard Erasmus in the penultimate over as Pakistan plundered 37 runs from the final three overs.
Farhan reached his century off the second-last ball of the innings with a nudge to long off, before misreading the final delivery and falling just short of 200.
Jack Brassell was Namibia's best with two for 48, while Erasmus claimed one for 25.
High stakes
Pakistan needs this victory — or a washout — to reach the Super Eight stage, having lost the previous match. A Namibian win would send the United States through instead, eliminating Pakistan from a second consecutive T20 World Cup at the group stage.
Meanwhile, Namibia started off the second innings steadily. The African nation reached 16 without loss after 2.2 overs, with Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck unbeaten at the interval.
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