ছবি: ফাইল ছবি
Pakistan national cricket team bounced back emphatically from their heavy defeat against India national cricket team to secure a place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup. In a must-win Group A encounter, Pakistan defeated the Namibia national cricket team by a commanding margin of 102 runs, turning a precarious qualification scenario into a statement victory.
Heading into the match, Pakistan faced elimination if they failed to win. India had already sealed qualification with three wins, while the United States sat ahead on four points. Although Pakistan had the same number of points, their inferior net run rate left them vulnerable. The equation was simple: win convincingly or bow out. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan displayed positive intent from the outset.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan produced a career-defining innings under pressure. His unbeaten 100 off 58 balls, studded with 11 fours and 4 sixes, laid the foundation for a formidable total. Farhan combined composure with calculated aggression, accelerating through the middle overs and punishing loose deliveries. His innings not only anchored the batting effort but also shifted the momentum decisively in Pakistan’s favor.
He received valuable support from Salman Ali Agha, who scored 38 off 23 balls, and Shadab Khan, who remained unbeaten on 36 from 22 deliveries. Their late flourish propelled Pakistan to 199 for 3 in 20 overs—a total that reflected both resilience and strategic acceleration. For Namibia, Jack Brassell was the standout bowler with 2 wickets for 48 runs, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s aggressive approach.
Chasing 200, Namibia began steadily but failed to sustain momentum once the opening partnership was broken. Pakistan’s bowlers applied relentless pressure, striking at regular intervals. Wickets fell consistently, preventing any meaningful partnerships from developing. Laurens Steenkamp top-scored with 23 off 22 balls, while Alexander Busing-Lovshenk contributed 20 off 20, yet the chase never truly threatened Pakistan’s dominance.
Namibia were eventually bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs. Usman Tariq led the bowling charge with an impressive 4 for 16, dismantling the middle order with disciplined line and length. Shadab Khan complemented him brilliantly, claiming 3 for 19 and capping an outstanding all-round performance. The blend of pace and spin ensured Namibia had no room to recover after early setbacks.
Beyond the margin of victory, the result significantly boosted Pakistan’s net run rate, a crucial factor in tight group standings. The emphatic nature of the win restored confidence within the camp after their earlier setback against India. Farhan’s century under pressure and the bowlers’ clinical execution showcased Pakistan’s ability to respond when their campaign was on the line.
With qualification secured, attention now shifts to the challenges of the Super Eight. Competition will intensify, and consistency will be paramount. However, this dominant performance serves as a timely reminder of Pakistan’s potential. If they can maintain this balance between explosive batting and disciplined bowling, they remain capable of influencing the tournament’s latter stages in a significant way.
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