T20 World Cup 2026: Sahibzada Farhan And Usman Tariq Help Pakistan Beat USA By 32 Runs

Sahibzada Farhan’s powerful fifty and the spinners’ precision led Pakistan to a comfortable 32-run victory over the United States of America in a Group A match of the T20 World Cup on Tuesday.

Farhan’s 41-ball 73 helped Pakistan reach a strong total of 190 for nine. The efficient spin quartet of Abrar Ahmed (1/30), Mohammad Nawaz (1/21), Shadab Khan (2/26), and Usman Tariq (3/27) then restricted the US batters to 158 for eight.

This win marked Pakistan’s second consecutive victory in the tournament, placing them at the top of the group with four points.

How Pakistan Beat USA?

Shubham Ranjane’s aggressive 51 off 30 balls only served to reduce the margin of defeat. Openers Shayan Jahangir (49 off 34) and Andries Gous (13 off 13) provided a reasonable start to the USA’s

chase, taking them to 42 in the fifth over, but the introduction of spin changed the course of the match.

Gous was caught by Salman Agha in the deep off Nawaz. The USA, who had defeated Pakistan in the last edition of the T20 World Cup, ended the power play at 50 for 1. However, they struggled thereafter as the Pakistan spinners claimed seven of the eight US wickets that fell.

In the next four overs, the US batters managed only 18 runs for the loss of skipper Monank Patel, who was caught and bowled by leg-spinner Shadab Khan. Jahangir soon departed, his attempted shot off Shadab landing in the hands of Shaheen Shah Afridi at mid-wicket.

Ranjane and Milind Kumar (23) added 66 runs for the fourth wicket, but the required run-rate remained too high despite some big hits towards the end.

Earlier, Farhan and Babar (46 off 32) added 81 runs for the third wicket as Pakistan recovered from a slightly troubling 56 for two after the Power Play. After being asked to bat first, Pakistan cruised to 56 for no loss in five overs.

Pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/25) then dismissed both Saim Ayub and skipper Agha within five deliveries in the sixth over, slowing Pakistan’s progress.

Farhan, typically powerful, hit sixes at will, with his maximums off spinner Milind showcasing his strength. Farhan’s onslaught allowed Babar to settle in and play his shots in the first match under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Babar, known for his low strike-rate of 110 in T20 World Cup history, took 20 balls to hit his first six. Once he found his rhythm, he displayed his class with cross-batted shots to the boundary. He targeted left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh, hitting him for a six and two fours in the 12th over, as Pakistan’s run-rate approached 10 an over.

During this, Farhan completed his ninth T20 fifty, his first in the ICC showpiece, off 27 balls. Babar’s lack of power eventually ended his innings, as Milind took a diving catch at deep off spinner Mohammad Mohsin, who bowled outside Babar’s hitting arc.

Farhan didn’t last much longer, perishing to Harmeet with Sanjay Krishnamurthi taking a well-judged running catch near the long-off fence. However, all-rounder Shadab (30 off 12) played some big shots in the death overs, helping Pakistan reach a competitive total despite losing several wickets towards the end.

(With inputs from Agencies)