HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan vs Namibia, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, 35 T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the run chase. There is a bit of cloud cover back hovering over the stadium and the artificial lights are starting to take effect. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of Pakistan. It will be the duo of Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp to open the innings for Namibia. Faheem Ashraf will take the new ball and Wasim Akram on air mentions that this will be his first over of the competition. Let's play...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Looking ahead - Namibia did well to keep Pakistan in check for the most part, but right at the back end, they lost their grip. Chasing 200 will be a stiff challenge. Their batting has been the weaker of the two suits in this tournament, and at this venue, where Pakistan's spinners have ruled the roost, the task ahead looks even more daunting. Remember, if Pakistan win, they will be through to the Super 8s, while a defeat for them will keep the hopes of the USA and the Netherlands alive. We will be back shortly for the chase.

Farhan's acceleration turned the tide - After losing his opening partner, Farhan stitched together a crucial stand with Salman Agha. Though the pair began cautiously, their partnership picked up pace with a 22-run over proving to be the catalyst. Namibia struck back with a couple of quick wickets, and that made Farhan's role even more vital heading into the death overs. Sahibzada rose to the occasion, with him racing from 50 to 100 in 20 balls to bring up his maiden T20I ton. Shadab Khan also played his part in providing the desired finish.

Early nerves for Pakistan - After opting to bat first, it was a tentative start from Pakistan, perhaps with the pressure of qualification weighing on them, or memories of losing 4 wickets in the Powerplay against India still fresh. Sahibzada Farhan swung like a rusty gate early on, and the boundaries that came were more streaky than convincing.

Late surge powers Pakistan to 199 - Sahibzada Farhan walks off to a standing ovation. Pakistan end up with 199 on the board. Wheels came off towards the end for Namibia as they conceded 59 runs in the last 4 overs.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, A dot to end the innings, and they will not get to 200! Gerhard Erasmus nails the wide yorker, outside off, just inside the tramline. Sahibzada Farhan leaves it alone, thinking it is a wide, but the umpire signals nothing. Pakistan finish on 199/3!

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Quicker and shorter, on middle, Shadab Khan punches it to long on for one. Can Pakistan get to 200?

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, SIX! Shadab Khan goes big again! This is bowled with a round-arm action, on a length, on middle. Shadab drops on a knee and nails the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, SIX! Straight as an arrow! Tossed up, full and on off, in the slot. Shadab Khan gets his front leg out of the way and clubs it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, WIDE! Fires this one full but down the leg side, Shadab Khan fails to paddle it away. Wided.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, HUNDRED FOR FARHAN! A maiden T20I century, and this has been an amazing knock under pressure. Floated, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan clips it through mid-wicket for a run. He punches the air straightaway in celebration. He becomes only the second Pakistani to score a ton in Men's T20 World Cups after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Gerhard Erasmus bowls with a round-arm action, drops it short and around off, Shadab Khan punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Time for the final over. A fresh pair of gloves for Sahibzada Farhan. Gerhard Erasmus has taken it upon himself to close out the innings. 2-0-9-1 so far for Namibia's skipper.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Excellent over from Ruben Trumpelmann! Just 6 runs off it! Fuller and outside off. Shadab Khan lofts it wide of long off for one more. He wants the second, but Farhan sends him back.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, WIDE! Just misses the wide yorker this time, spilling it outside the tramline. Shadab Khan lets it go. Called a wide.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Right in the blockhole, around off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it out to long off for one. Can Ruben Trumpelmann finish well here?

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Overpitched and near the wide tramline, on off. Shadab Khan reaches out and slices it to sweeper cover for a run.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Ruben Trumpelmann sticks to the fuller length and serves this well outside off. Shadab Khan shuffles across early to scoop it but plays all over it.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Full again and outside off, Shadab Khan shapes up for the sweep again but adjusts and drives it wide of long off for a brace.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, A good wide yorker, outside off, Shadab Khan gets down and across to swipe it away but misses. He has a look at the umpire but gets nothing.

37 runs off the last 2 overs. Two more overs left in the innings. Ruben Trumpelmann (3-0-30-0) will bowl the 19th over.

Jack Brassell to Shadab Khan, Back of a length and around off, Shadab Khan makes room and carves it to deep point for one. 20 runs off the over. 200 is on for Pakistan now.

Jack Brassell to Shadab Khan, SIX! Shadab Khan joins the party bow! Jack Brassell tries the slower bouncer, on middle, but this is never going to trouble the batter. Shadab picks it up early and just helps it on its way over the fine leg fence for half a dozen more.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Pitched up and on off, Sahibzada Farhan drills it towards long off for a single.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, MISFIELD AND FOUR! Short of a length and outside off, Sahibzada Farhan cuts it away hard towards point. Willem Myburgh dives to his right but over the ball and lets it through for a boundary. The wheels are coming off now for Namibia. Also, the 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! Sahibzada Farhan moves into the 90s now! Jack Brassell errs in his line and serves this full and down the leg side. Farhan gets inside the line of it and whips it over the deep fine leg fence for a flat six.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Hard length and on middle, angling in, Sahibzada Farhan nudges it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

JJ Smit to Shadab Khan, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! JJ Smit goes short again and outside off. Shadab Khan sees the width and slashes hard at it. Gets an outside edge that flies over short third and to the fence behind for four more runs. 17 runs off the over.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! The runs are starting to flow now! Too full from Smit, on off, right in the slot. Sahibzada Farhan gets underneath it and smacks it past the bowler and between long on and long off for a boundary. Farhan moves to 84, this is now his highest score in T20Is.

A slight hold-up as the fourth umpire has made his way out with the box of balls. Looks like the ball landed on a hard surface beyond the boundary ropes, and that has had an impact on its condition. We are all good to go now.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! BOOM! Sahibzada Farhan is batting on a different planet. JJ Smit lands this back of a length and around off, but this one sits up nicely for the batter. Farhan climbs onto it and muscles it over the bowler's head for half a dozen more.

JJ Smit to Shadab Khan, Fuller delivery and around off, Shadab Khan goes down and swipes it to deep square leg for a single.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Just short! JJ Smit sees the batter move across, lands this short of a length and outside off. Sahibzada Farhan slaps it but does not get power on the shot. It flies towards extra cover, where the fielder dives to his front but the ball drops just in front of him. They cross.

JJ Smit returns to the attack. 2-0-11-0 so far for the left-arm medium pacer.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Flighted, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan eases it to long off for one. Bernard Scholtz finishes his spell wicketless. His figures read 4-0-33-0.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Powered away! Tossed up, full and on off. Sahibzada Farhan extends his arms to get under it and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Bernard Scholtz to Shadab Khan, Quicker delivery, shortish and on middle, keeps low, Shadab Khan backs away and punches it through covers for one.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Flatter, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan drives it to long off for another run.

Bernard Scholtz to Shadab Khan, Goes short again, on leg, Shadab Khan moves around in his crease and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Shorter in length and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan rocks back and pulls it hard but straight to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, On a back of a length, around off, Farhan punches it to long off and keeps the strike with a single. 10 runs off the over.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! To the other side of the mid off fielder this time. Ruben Trumpelmann bangs it in short, pushed across the batter again. Farhan gets on his toes and reaches out. He slaps it between cover and mid off and picks up another boundary.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Crunched! Off-cutter, on a length, around off. Sahibzada gets the front leg out of the way and smacks it down the ground. Shadab Khan is in the firing line but he does well to duck quickly and the mid off fielder stands no chance.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Across off, on a back of a length, Khan punches it through covers and crosses over.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Shadab Khan gives the charge but misses. Fuller and outside off, Shadab dances down the track and swings to go big on the off side but is beaten as the ball leaves him with the angle.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Goes past the bat! Effort behind the ball by Ruben Trumpelmann, on a back of a length, around the off stump. Shadab walks across the stumps and hangs his bat out to cover the line but is beaten on the inside edge.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Fuller and on off, knocked to long off for a single.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Shorter and on middle, Shadab stays back and nudges it in front of deep square leg. He comes charging back for the second run and gets home before the throw comes in.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Very full, on off, Shadab digs it out on the off side.

Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Nicely bowled! This is slower through the air, on a nagging length, on middle. Shadab looks to deal with it from the crease but is beaten by the turn and gets hit high on the pads.

Two wickets in two consecutive overs for Namibia. With that, the umpires have called in for DRINKS as well. The last two overs have shifted a bit of momentum again, and now the role of Sahibzada Farhan becomes even more important. He is the set batter and a lot depends on him if Pakistan want to get to a big total here. Namibia will want to build on the last couple of overs and pull things back even more as they know all the pressure in this game is on their opponents. Also, Shadab Khan is the next man in.

Gerhard Erasmus to Khawaja Nafay, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! A brief stay for Khawaja Nafay. Full and attacking the stumps, bowled from a yard behind the crease. Nafay gets down on a knee and goes hard on the slog sweep. He loses his shape in the process and a top edge is found. It is skied towards the mid on region. Erasmus turns around and goes after it. Keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and snaffles it safely. A couple of quick wickets for Namibia.

Gerhard Erasmus to Khawaja Nafay, Pushed through, short and outside off, Nafay has a flash at it but misses.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Angled in, on a back of a length, on middle. Sahibzada brings his wrists into play and turns it in between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Smashed! Too short and wide on off, asking to be hit. Farhan obliges as he gets on his toes and thumps it between cover and mid off for a four.

Jack Brassell to Khawaja Nafay, On off, on the shorter side, pulled in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Jack Brassell to Khawaja Nafay, Into the deck, over middle, Nafay taps it down the strip.

Jack Brassell to Khawaja Nafay, FOUR! Khawaja Nafay is up and running! On a hard length, on off, Nafay stands tall on his toes and steers it down with an open bat face to the left of backward point for a four to get going.

The 67-run partnership has been broken. No Babar Azam, it is Khawaja Nafay who comes out to the middle now.

Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal. Jack Brassell strikes on his return to the attack. Salman Agha absolutely berates himself as he trudges off. Brassell bowls it on a length, outside off, Agha walks across the stumps and spots mid off being inside the circle. He looks to go over mid off with a straight bat and a high elbow but fails to get any elevation. Spoons it flat and straight to mid off, where Gerhard Erasmus gobbles it up.

Jack Brassell is back on.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Shorter and flatter, on middle, Agha hangs back and nudges it to wide long on for a run. A good over for Pakistan, 14 runs off it.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, SIX! Good use of the feet! Floated up, on middle, Salman jumps out of the crease and gets to the pitch of the ball. He swings through the line and tonks it to the left of long on for a six.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, FOUR! 100 is up for Pakistan! On a length, on middle, Salman looks to play the fine sweep and gets down on a knee. He fails to roll his wrists over the ball and it flies off a top edge over the keeper for a four.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Short and on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, On a nagging length, on middle, Agha sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, FIFTY FOR FARHAN! Not the most fluent knocks you will ever see but runs are runs. He needs to kick on if Pakistan are to post in excess of 180. Short and around middle and leg, Farhan tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single. Second half-century of the World Cup for Farhan.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Smit pushes it wide, on a shortish length, Sahibzada reaches out and slaps it wide of extra cover. He is keen for the second run and takes a couple of steps forward before being sent back. A wise call from Agha as the fielder in the deep was quick to get to the ball.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Missed out! A bit too wide, on a short of a length, Farhan reaches out and taps the ball on its head but fails to get it wide enough of the man at backward point. It is cut off with a dive.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Smit goes into the deck and outside off, Farhan waits on the slower ball on the back foot and drags the pull to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

JJ Smit to Salman Agha, On a length, angled away, Agha punches it to long off. With this single, the 50-run stand comes up in 32 balls.

JJ Smit to Salman Agha, Across off, on a back of a length, Agha goes hard on the cut. Ends up chopping it in front of point.

JJ Smit to Salman Agha, FOUR! Off the top edge! On a length, on middle and leg. Agha crouches and has a swipe across the line. This is off-cutter and it grips in the surface. The ball flies off a top edge over the keeper for a four.

Will Willem Myburgh continue? The answer is no. JJ Smit replaces him. 1-0-3-0 so far for Smit.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Follows the batter, serves the arm ball angling into the leg side. Salman Agha fails to flick it away as the ball lobs up off his pads towards backward point. A leg bye taken.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Dragged back and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan moves back and swats it down to long on for one.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, skids through. Sahibzada Farhan shapes up for the pull but adjusts and clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Shorter in length once more, on off, Salman Agha punches it through cover-point for another run.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, WIDE! Quicker and shorter but down the leg side, Salman Agha tries to swipe it away but misses. Called a wide.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Short again and around off, Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and slaps it to long off for a run.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Short and angling into leg, Salman Agha nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Sahibzada Farhan has asked for some medical attention. Did he tweak something in his right leg, or is it just cramps? The physio is applying the magic spray on Farhan's right knee. The magic spray has done its job and Sahibzada is ready to resume.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Oh..what happened there? Willem Myburgh fires this one full and outside off. Sahibzada Farhan tries to reach out but bunts it out off the bottom edge onto the pitch. He looks in a bit of discomfort and is holding his hamstring. 22 runs off the over, but Pakistan won't want to lose Farhan here.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX MORE! Even better and bigger! A googly, but too full and in the slot on middle. Sahibzada Farhan once again goes down on one knee and smokes it with the spin over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! This is turning out to be a great over for Pakistan! Willem Myburgh gives this one some more air, full and on off. Sahibzada Farhan goes down on one knee and nails the slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, WIDE! Flatter, full but down the leg side, Sahibzada Farhan fails to glance it away. Wided.

Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Shorter delivery, on leg. Salman Agha moves back and punches it to long on for a single.

Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Floated, full and on middle, Salman Agha goes down and swipes it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, SIX! Top shot! Tossed up, full and on middle. Salman Agha skips down the track to get to the pitch of it. He presents the full face of the bat and lofts it with an extension of arms over the long on fence for a biggie.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Slows it up, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan pushes it straight back to the bowler. A couple of quiet overs from the spinners.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Short again and on off, Salman Agha stays back and clips it through square leg for one.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Drops it short and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan has no room to work with and punches it to long on for a run.

Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Flatter delivery, full and on middle, angling in, Sahibzada Farhan knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on off, Salman Agha tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Tossed up, full and on off, Salman Agha drives it wide of short cover, where the fielder dives to his right to make the stop.

Spin from both ends? Indeed. Here's the left-arm orthodox spinner, Bernard Scholtz.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Slower through the air, full and on middle and leg, turns away a bit. Sahibzada Farhan fends it back to the bowler.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Drags his length back, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan rocks back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on off, Salman Agha goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for another run. 50 up for Pakistan!

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Goes short and on off, Sahibzada Farhan moves back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Tossed up, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan prods forward and blocks it out.

Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Floated, full but around leg, Salman Agha gets low and paddles it to short fine for a single.

Willem Myburgh comes into the attack. The leggie replaces Ruben Trumpelmann.

Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, Good length and on off, Salman Agha opens the face of his bat and guides it to deep third for one more. Pakistan are 47/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, On a length and around leg, Sahibzada Farhan nudges it to deep square leg for one.

Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, Falls short! Bangs this into the pitch, outside off. Salman Agha slashes hard at it. Gets a thick outside edge towards deep third, where Ruben Trumpelmann opts to save the boundary and not go for the catch. They cross.

Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Jack Brassell lands this short of a length and around off. Salman Agha manages to get on top of the bounce this time and punches it sweetly through covers for a boundary.

Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, Almost chopped on! Back of a length and on off, takes off a bit. Salman Agha looks to cut it away but fails to ride the bounce. Gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls behind the stumps.

With the fall of Saim Ayub, the umpires have called for a DRINKS BREAK. Pakistan have got up to 40 with a few streaky boundaries along the way. Namibia haven't bowled badly at all, and on another day they might have had more than just the one wicket at this stage. Once again, the steep bounce at the SSC, something we have witnessed throughout the World Cup, has been on display, and Namibia will have to adjust to it when it is their turn to bat. Pakistan's skipper, Salman Agha walks out to bat.

Jack Brassell to Saim Ayub, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Saim Ayub's luck finally runs out. Jack Brassell serves this full and outside off, keeping it away from the batter. Ayub, without any foot movement, just throws his bat at it. He only manages to get a thin outside edge behind, where Zane Green makes no mistake. It would have been a wide if he had left that ball. Another low score for Ayub in this World Cup, and Pakistan are 40/1 now.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Closer to the off stump, on a back of a length, Farhan stabs it down on the off side. 9 runs off Ruben Trumpelmann's second over. His figures read 2-0-20-0.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR MORE! Width offered and Farhan cashes in. Bowled with a cross-seam, going across the right-hander, on a back of a length. Farhan takes a step across the stumps to get closer to the line of the ball and he carves it over cover for a four.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Not convincing, but it gets the job done for Farhan. Fuller and at the sticks, Sahibzada has a massive hoick across the line. Gets it more off the inner half of the bat but past mid-wicket for a boundary.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Trumpelmann digs it in short, over off, Farhan swivels for the pull but is beaten for pace and the ball keeps rising. That looked to have sailed over the head of the batter but the umpire is happy with it.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, A big swing and a miss! Trumpelmann cannot believe how the ball missed the stumps. A hint of shape back in, fuller and around the off pole. Farhan clears the front leg and swings with all his might. He is beaten on the inside edge and the ball misses the off pole by a coat of varnish.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, On a good length, on middle, Ayub shovels it from the crease in front of deep square leg for a single.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Nothing streaky about this one! Jack bangs it in short but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. It comes just below the chest, around off. Farhan stays back and unleashes the pull over mid-wicket for a four.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Into the deck, on off, Sahibzada stands tall and pats it to cover.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Streaky, but they all count! Cross-seam delivery, on a good length, outside off. Farhan clears the front leg and swings for the hills. The ball bounces a bit more to catch the top edge, and it flies behind. It goes through the vacant slip region for a four.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Fuller in length, on off and middle. Farhan pushes out in front of his body. The ball squirts off an outside edge to backward point.

Shaheen Afridi is running out to the middle with a new pair of gloves for Sahibzada Farhan.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Airmiles for both bat and ball! Brassell bashes the surface, around off. Farhan has a big swing at it to go over the top on the off side. He loses grip on the bat as it flies behind on the leg side. He manages to clear the in-field on off and collects a couple of runs.

Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Jack hits the hard length, on off. Sahibzada Farhan rides the bounce and stabs it down the strip.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Over off and middle, on a hard length. Sahibzada walks across the stumps and fends it beside the strip on the leg side for a single. 12 runs off Trumpelmann's first over.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Pushed across the right-hander, Farhan gets on top of it and punches it to cover-point.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, Leg bye! Drifting in at the pads, on a back of a length, Ayub misses out on the glance. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Off the edge and just wide! Trumpelmann delivers it on a short of a good length, outside off. Ayub throws his hands at it. The ball flies behind off the outside edge. The keeper, Zane Green, flings himself to his left but is beaten for pace. He sticks out his left hand but to no avail.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, Slanting in at the pads, on a good length, Ayub wrists it to the right of the man at deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Nicely done! Trumpelmann tucks the batter up for room, on a back of a length, on middle. Ayub hangs deep in the crease and plays the short-arm jab by lifting his front leg. Hits it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Flat and short, across the batter, Farhan flat bats it hard but can't beat the man at mid on.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Beaten! Going across the right-hander, on the shorter side, Farhan has a flash at it but fails to connect.

Gerhard Erasmus to Saim Ayub, Just out of reach! Short and around off, a bit of extra bounce. Ayub flays at it. Gets a thickish outside edge and the balloons towards backward point. Louren Steenkamp runs over his left shoulder, sticks out his left hand but the ball evades him. They cross.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Short and on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Short and across off, Farhan taps it to cover.

Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Gets it through! Erasmus begins from around the wicket, too full, too wide. Farhan gets low and reaches out to crack the drive towards the catching cover fielder. The fielder there fails to get low quickly and is beaten to his right. It races away for the first four of the contest.

Spin from the other end as Gerhard Erasmus brings himself into the attack.

JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, A play and a miss! This decks away off the strip, on a short of a length, outside off. Saim stays leg side to knock it through the off side but the ball whistles past the outside edge.

JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, On the fuller side, on middle, Saim brings his wrists into play and flicks it to the left of mid on. Gerhard Erasmus gives it a chase and slides to haul it. Ayub is off the mark with a couple of runs.

JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, Smit keeps it in and around the off stump, on a back of a length, Ayub drops it in front of cover and wants to sneak in a single but the fielder is quick to get to the ball.

JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, Leading edge! Angled into the left-hander, on a length, on middle. Saim gets on his toes to clip it away on the leg side, but the ball nips away to square the batter up. Gets a soft leading edge and it rolls to cover.

JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Ayub covers the line and blocks it out with a straight bat.

JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Farhan and Pakistan are underway! On a back of a length, outside off, Sahibzada stands tall on his toes and punches it through covers for a single to open his account.

All in readiness now! The conditions are a bit overcast and we can see the Namibian players spread out and take up the fielding positions. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are the two openers for Pakistan. JJ Smit has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of the game, but before that it is time for the unfurling of the flags of both nations. Now, Salman Agha and Gerhard Erasmus lead their respective teams out to the middle and line up for the national anthems. It will be Namibia's first followed by that of Pakistan.

PITCH REPORT - Former Sri Lankan batter, Russel Arnold, is pitchside. He informs that it was gloomy this morning, but the sun has broken through. Shares that the square boundaries measure 69 metres on one side and 67 on the other, with the straight hit being 79 metres. Former Pakistan fast bowler, Waqar Younis, believes Pakistan will feel at home in these conditions, having played a couple of games at this venue. Mentions that this pitch has offered something for everyone. Shares that at this ground, pacers have picked 31 wickets at an average of 18.96 while spinners have claimed 26 wickets at an average of 23.11.

We have not quite hit our straps - The captain of Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus, says that they really like the conditions here in Colombo and it is similar to what they have back home. Believes that they have not quite lived up to their reputation in T20 cricket. Feels that they are yet to put in the complete game, which you need against higher-ranked sides. Informs that they have made two changes for this game.

We need to bat well - The skipper of Pakistan, Salman Agha, says that it looks like a good wicket and they want to put runs on the board and put scoreboard pressure. Adds that they have been in must-win situations before in tournaments like this, and it is all about preparing well and delivering when it matters. Mentions that they are aware that batting hasn't been consistent, but they did well against the USA and need something similar here. Informs that they have made a couple of changes.

Namibia (Playing XI) - Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Alexander Volschenk (In for Dylan Leicher), JJ Smit, Zane Green (WK), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz and Jack Brassell (In for Max Heingo).

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Khawaja Nafay (In for Abrar Ahmed), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza (In for Shaheen Afridi) and Usman Tariq.

TOSS - All set for the coin to go up. Salman Agha and Gerhard Erasmus are present in the centre. 'Tails' is the call from Erasmus, but it has come down as a head. Pakistan opt to BAT first.

Weather watch - In Delhi, there were showers early in the morning, and rain caused a brief interruption during the break between innings. Showers are predicted ahead of the game here in Colombo as well. For now, though, conditions remain dry, and the players are out in the middle going through their warm-up drills.

An update from Delhi - South Africa are on course to make it four wins from four in the group stage. After opting to field first, they were tested in the first few overs, but from there on, the UAE struggled to break free. The Proteas quicks, in particular, proved too hot to handle, consistently hitting hard lengths and extracting enough pace to keep the batters in check. In the end, the UAE could only muster 122, and in reply, South Africa have raced to 86 in 9 overs for the loss of two wickets.

Adapting on the fly - That is the task in front of Namibia. All their previous games have been in India, and they now run into a Pakistan side that has been based in Colombo throughout the tournament and has already played twice at this ground. Pakistan's spinners, in particular, have relished conditions at the Sinhalese Sports Club, accounting for 13 of the 18 wickets they have taken across their two matches here. Navigating that spin challenge will be a stern test for the African side if they are to pull off an upset.

Greetings, all! 7 Super 8 spots have been sealed, and the race for the final berth is down to Pakistan and the USA. The Americans have completed their group stage fixtures and no longer control their own destiny. Pakistan, however, do. A win against Namibia today will see them through to the next round, while any slip-up from the Asian side will hand the final ticket to the USA, provided the Netherlands are not able to overtake them on net run rate.

... MATCH DAY ...

No room for error for the Men in Green - Under the Colombo skies, with the sea breeze drifting across the SSC Cricket Ground, this Group A clash feels less like a dead rubber and more like a final for Pakistan. After being hammered by India and watching the USA climb above them on net run rate, there is no safety net left - Pakistan have to win, if they want to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. Namibia, already out of the race, might be playing without pressure, but that only makes them more dangerous. Batting balance still elusive - Pakistan's campaign so far has been a story of missed chances and uneven performances. They were nearly stunned by the Netherlands before Faheem Ashraf's late cameo rescued them, steadied themselves against the USA, and then were completely outplayed by India. With the bat, the burden has fallen heavily on Sahibzada Farhan, who has 120 runs in the tournament, including a blazing 73 off 41 against the Americans. Around him, though, the returns have been thin. Babar Azam’s 66 runs have come at a strike rate under 116, not ideal in modern T20 cricket, while Saim Ayub, Salman Agha and Shadab Khan have all struggled to make telling contributions. Shadab and Usman Khan have flashed their power without truly shaping an innings, leaving Pakistan too often short of the explosives they crave. Spinners in search of spark - Ironically, it is Ayub who has been Pakistan's standout with the ball, leading their bowling charts and coming off a fine three-wicket haul in the last game. Usman Tariq's unusual action and deliberate pause have quietly brought control, but the bigger names - Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab have managed only eight wickets between them across three matches on spin-friendly surfaces. Salman Agha's surprise decision to bowl himself against India paid off instantly when he removed Abhishek Sharma, adding a useful extra option, but Shaheen Afridi's lack of early breakthroughs remains a concern. Whether Pakistan go all-in with spin again or bring back Salman Mirza's pace is one of the key selection calls. Bright starts, empty finishes - Namibia, despite three defeats, have shown enough to prove they belong at this level. Their biggest frustration has been with the bat. Only Louren Steenkamp has passed fifty, while Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Jan Frylinck have started brightly without kicking on. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit have been forced to play rescue acts too often after middle-order collapses in big chases against India and the USA. Namibia's skipper setting the tone - Erasmus, however, has led superbly with the ball, taking six wickets, including a career-best 4 for 20 against India, while Myburgh has impressed with his economy. The pacers, Ruben Trumpelmann and Max Heingo, have not quite hit their straps, but Namibia will hope Colombo's slow, gripping surface levels the contest. Team Form (Last 5 T20Is, latest result first) - Pakistan - LWWWW | Namibia - LLLWL. A test of nerves in Colombo - These sides met once before at a T20 World Cup in 2021, with Pakistan coming out on top, and history alone will not be enough this time. Pakistan's advantage of having played all their games in Sri Lanka could be vital, especially against a Namibian side adjusting after a stint in India. One slip-up, though, and Pakistan risk a second straight group-stage exit - a thought that will be hanging heavily over them in Colombo.