KEY POINTS
- Pakistan defeated the United States by 32 runs in a Group A T20 World Cup match.
- Sahibzada Farhan scored 73 off 41 deliveries to anchor Pakistan’s innings.
- Pakistan’s bowling attack limited the USA to 158-8 in Colombo.
Pakistan secured a 32-run victory against the United States in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group A contest on Tuesday. The win kept Pakistan unbeaten after two matches in the tournament’s early stages.
Put in to bat first at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Pakistan set a strong total of 190-9. Opener Sahibzada Farhan led the scoring with a rapid 73 runs from 41 balls. His innings featured multiple boundaries and powerful hits that pressured the U.S. bowlers.
Farhan put Pakistan in command early with aggressive strokeplay in the powerplay overs. The Pakistan top order put runs on the board quickly, laying a platform for the middle order. Former captain Babar Azam contributed a brisk 46 to bolster the total.
Pakistan reached a competitive score despite losing wickets in the middle overs. Shadab Khan provided a late flourish with a quick 30 off 12 deliveries. The team’s total posed a challenging target for the U.S. side.
In response, the U.S. began their chase with some reliable batting partnerships. Shubham Ranjane played a notable innings, scoring freely in the middle overs. Shayan Jahangir also impressed with a resilient knock.
Despite their efforts, the American batsmen could not keep up with Pakistan’s required run rate. Early breakthroughs from Pakistan’s bowling attack put pressure on the chase. Spinners Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan shared five wickets between them. They tightened the scoring rate through the middle and death overs.
The U.S. side finished at 158-8 after 20 overs, falling well short of the target. Pakistan’s bowlers combined disciplined line and variation to restrict runs effectively.
Pakistan’s captain highlighted his team’s balanced performance with bat and ball. The side executed plans under pressure and defended their total successfully.
The result avenged the U.S. victory over Pakistan at the previous T20 World Cup in 2024. It also reinforced Pakistan’s position in the Group A standings.
Pakistan’s next match is scheduled against defending champions India. Fans have expressed strong interest in the high-profile clash.
The U.S. team will look to regroup and aim for wins in their remaining group fixtures. Their chase showed promise but also highlighted areas for improvement.
Overall, Pakistan’s comprehensive performance combined aggressive batting and tight bowling to secure the victory. The win boosts their confidence as the tournament progresses.
