Pakistan Go Top Of Group A With 32-Run Win Over USA In T20 World Cup
Pakistan secured their second consecutive victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 32-run win over the USA at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Tuesday. The victory keeps Pakistan unbeaten in the tournament and places them at the top of Group A with four points from two matches.
After being put into bat, Pakistan made a brisk start. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan paced their innings smartly, taking the side past the 50-run mark inside five overs. However, Shadley van Schalkwyk struck twice to slow down the momentum. Ayub miscued a shot to Saurabh Netravalkar, while captain Salman Agha was dismissed just five balls later. Pakistan ended the powerplay at 56 for 2.
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Farhan then anchored the innings with confidence and aggression. He stitched together a valuable 81-run partnership with Babar Azam, combining sensible shot selection with sharp running between the wickets. Azam contributed a well-compiled 46 before departing, but Farhan continued to dominate the bowling attack.
The right-hander brought up his maiden half-century in T20 World Cup cricket, smashing 73 off just 41 deliveries, including six boundaries and five sixes. His innings laid a solid foundation for a big total. Farhan was eventually dismissed after a sharp catch by Sanjay Krishnamurthi off Harmeet Singh.
Shadab Khan added late impetus with a quickfire 30 off just 12 balls. However, Pakistan lost five wickets in the space of 10 deliveries while trying to accelerate in the death overs and finished on 190 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Van Schalkwyk was the standout bowler for the USA, claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs, including two in an over during his second spell.
Chasing 191, the USA began positively. The openers put on 42 runs for the first wicket during the powerplay, showing intent against Pakistan’s pace attack. Mohammad Nawaz broke the opening stand in his first over to provide the breakthrough.
Shadab Khan then delivered crucial blows in quick succession. He first dismissed USA captain Monank Patel, taking a sharp return catch off his own bowling, and soon after removed Shayan Jahangir, who was in fine touch during his 49-run knock.
Despite the setbacks, Shubham Ranjane and Milind Kumar rebuilt the innings with a steady 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Just when the USA looked set to shift gears, Usman Tariq turned the game decisively in Pakistan’s favour. He claimed his first wicket to break the partnership and then struck twice in two deliveries to tighten Pakistan’s grip on the contest.
Ranjane fought on to complete a resilient half-century, scoring 51, but regular wickets at the other end prevented any late surge. Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control in the closing overs to restrict the USA to 158 for 8, sealing a comprehensive 32-run victory.
Shadab Khan’s all-round performance stood out, as he scored 30 runs and picked up two wickets for 26. Usman Tariq impressed with figures of 3 for 27, while Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack ensured there was no dramatic twist in the final overs.
Brief scores: Pakistan 190/9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 73, Babar Azam 46; Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25). USA 158/8 in 20 overs (Shubham Ranjane 51, Shayan Jahangir 49; Usman Tariq 3/27).
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