USA's T20 World Cup Hopes Take Hit after Pakistan Defeat

Farhan stars as Pakistan beats USA in T20 World Cup

Pakistan defeats USA by 32 runs in T20 World Cup, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring 73 and Usman Tariq taking 3 wickets.

Pakistan's innings ended with a flurry, Shadab Khan scoring 30 off 12 balls, but the damage was done as they lost five wickets...

Sahibzada Farhan led Pakistan's charge with a blistering 73 off 41 balls, hitting five sixes and six fours. He was well-supported by Babar Azam's 46 off 32 balls, which included four fours and a six, helping Pakistan post a strong 190-9 total at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Usman Tariq's three wickets and Shadab Khan's two wickets restricted the USA to 158-8, handing Pakistan a 32-run win and avenging their 2024 loss. Shadley van Schalkwyk took four wickets for the USA, but it wasn't enough to stop Pakistan's momentum.

Pakistan's spinners were instrumental in restricting the USA to 158-8, with Tariq taking 3-27 and Shadab Khan grabbing 2-26. The Pakistani bowlers did a great job of containing the American batsmen, who struggled to score freely.

This win is a big boost for Pakistan, avenging their shock defeat to the USA in the T20 World Cup two years ago. It's their second win in as many games, following a thrilling three-wicket win over the Netherlands on Saturday.

Shubham Ranjane led the USA's resistance with a valiant 51 off 30 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours. He fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was playing his 100th T20 international, in a crucial blow to the American chase.

The USA had looked on track at 123-3, with Shayan Jahangir (49) and Milind Kumar (29) putting on a good show. Jahangir's 34-ball innings included two sixes and five fours, but the team's collapse from 123-3 ultimately cost them the match.

“It was a clinical performance as we batted really well to post 190 and we knew we could defend that,” said Pakistan captain Salman Agha.

“There is always room for improvement; we'd like to bowl better in the powerplay before the next game.”

Pakistan's next game is against arch-rivals India in Colombo on Sunday, a match that was given the green light by the Pakistan government on Monday after initial boycott plans. The high-stakes game is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter.

USA captain Monank Patel admitted his team “were in the game in the powerplay but again in the middle overs we couldn't show intent and lost wickets.” The USA's inability to capitalize on their strong start ultimately cost them the match.

Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub gave Pakistan a solid start, putting on 54 in five overs. Ayub scored 19 off 17 balls, hitting two sixes, before Farhan took over and blasted his way to 73.

Pakistan's innings took a slight hiccup in the sixth over, losing two wickets to Shadley van Schalkwyk's bowling. Saim Ayub fell to a slower one, while skipper Babar Azam was caught on the deep square-leg boundary for one.

T20 World Cup: Farhan’s firepower followed by disciplined bowling help Pakistan beat USA by 32 runs in their Group A match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo pic.twitter.com/Cl1IxZxJA7

— IANS (@ians_india) February 10, 2026

Despite the setback, Farhan and Azam took control, putting on an 81-run third-wicket stand. The pair unleashed Pakistan's attacking intent, with Azam's clever play and Farhan's aggression making them a force to reckon with.

Farhan achieved a milestone, passing 1,000 T20 international runs in just his 41st match, before falling to Harmeet Singh's spinner in the 16th over. He was caught in the covers, ending his brilliant knock.

Pakistan's innings ended with a flurry, Shadab Khan scoring 30 off 12 balls, but the damage was done as they lost five wickets for 13 runs in the last two overs. Schalkwyk was the star for USA, taking 4-25, following his impressive four-wicket haul against India on Saturday.