The chase is on at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, and Pakistan has roared back into the contest. Defending a mammoth target of 200, the Men in Green have restricted Namibia to 40/2 at the end of the Powerplay.
While the scorecard looks healthy for Pakistan, the first six overs were a mix of brilliance and sloppy errors.
A Shaky Start in the Field
Pakistan’s fielding woes resurfaced immediately. In the very first over, Faheem Ashraf induced a top-edge pull from opener Jan Frylinck. It was a routine catch, but Mohammad Nawaz dropped a sitter at deep square leg, handing Namibia an early lifeline.
Namibia’s openers, Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp, tried to capitalise. Steenkamp, in particular, looked dangerous, launching Faheem for a massive six down the ground and sweeping Saim Ayub for boundaries. He raced to 22 off 18 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Mirza & Agha provide the Breakthroughs
Pakistan needed a spark, and Salman Mirza delivered. Brought into the attack, the pacer bowled a beauty in the 5th over. The ball skidded off the surface and nipped back in to crash into Jan Frylinck’s stumps, sending him back for 9.
The pressure mounted further in the 6th over. Saim Ayub bowled a tight line, and sharp fielding from skipper Salman Agha at extra cover resulted in the run-out of Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton for just 5. Agha’s quick release and Ayub’s swift work at the stumps left the batter short of his crease.
T20 World Cup 2026 PAK vs NAM: Match Situation
- Score: Namibia 40/2
- Run Rate: 6.67 (Required: 11.43)
- Batters: Louren Steenkamp (22*), Gerhard Erasmus (0*)
- Key Bowler: Salman Mirza (1/11 in 2 overs)
With the required run rate climbing above 11 runs per over, Namibia faces an uphill battle. Captain Gerhard Erasmus has joined Steenkamp in the middle, but they will need a miracle against Pakistan’s spinners to chase down 200.
Stay tuned to TechJuice for more live updates as the spin web tightens.
