Pakistan Outclass USA by 32 Runs in T20 World Cup Clash

COLOMBO: A superb half-century from Sahibzada Farhan and an impressive all-round bowling performance powered Pakistan to a convincing 32-run win over the United States in the 12th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Tuesday.

Chasing a challenging target of 191, the USA managed to reach only 158/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

The American innings began positively as openers Andries Gous and Shayan Jahangir added 42 runs at a healthy rate. Their partnership was broken by Mohammad Nawaz, who removed Gous for 13 off 13 balls, including two boundaries.

The breakthrough slowed USA’s momentum. Captain Monank Patel tried to steady the chase but struggled for fluency and was dismissed by Shadab Khan in the ninth over after scoring just three from 10 deliveries.

Shadab struck again soon after, sending back the well-set Shayan, who played an impressive knock of 49 from 34 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.

Following these setbacks, Shubham Ranjane and Milind Kumar attempted to rebuild the innings with a 54-run stand for the fourth wicket. Their resistance ended in the 16th over when Usman Tariq dismissed Kumar for 29.

That wicket triggered a batting collapse, with USA losing four more wickets in quick succession. Ranjane offered late resistance with a fighting 51 off 29 balls, including three fours and three sixes, but he was eventually removed by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the final over.

Usman Tariq was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, claiming 3/27 in his four overs. Shadab Khan supported him well with figures of 2/26, while Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen each took one wicket.

Earlier, USA captain Monank Patel opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that ultimately proved costly as Pakistan posted a strong total of 190/9.

Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided an explosive start, racing to 54 inside the first five overs.

USA fought back through Shadley van Schalkwyk, who struck twice in the final over of the powerplay to dismiss Ayub and skipper Salman Ali Agha, reducing Pakistan to 56/2. Ayub scored 19 off 17 balls, while Agha managed just one run.

Farhan was then joined by Babar Azam, and the pair steadied the innings with an excellent 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Their stand ended in the 15th over when Mohammad Mohsin dismissed Babar for a well-made 46 from 32 balls, which included four boundaries and a six.

Pakistan suffered another blow in the very next over as Farhan, who had played a brilliant innings of 73 from 41 deliveries with six fours and five sixes, was removed by Harmeet Singh.

Shadab Khan then provided late fireworks with a rapid 30 off 12 balls, smashing four fours and a six, during a quick 34-run partnership with Nawaz. However, he fell to van Schalkwyk in the 19th over, which also saw the dismissal of Faheem Ashraf.

Nawaz was dismissed on the final over’s first ball for five, leaving Pakistan to finish at 190/9.

For USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk was outstanding with the ball, taking 4/25 in his four overs. Saurabh Netravalkar, Mohammad Mohsin and Harmeet Singh picked up one wicket each.