Colombo: Pakistan eased past the USA by 32 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club here, avenging their defeat at group stage in the previous World Cup. The way the US opened their innings indicated they would fight this all the way through, but that spirit was asphyxiated out of them by Pakistan's unerringly accurate spinners. They ended up at 158 for 8.
Pakistan moved to 4 points, maintaining their perfect record ahead of their game against India, and are now on top of Group A.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a competitive 190/9 in their allotted 20 overs against the USA, thanks largely to opener Sahibzada Farhan’s 73-run knock, when the two sides faced off in their Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The foundation was laid by the opening pair of Saim Ayub and Farhan, who shared a vital 54-run partnership for the first wicket. Ayub started positively, scoring 19 runs off 17 balls, but it was Farhan who really stamped his authority on the innings. The left-hander was in explosive form, hitting 73 runs off just 41 balls, including six fours and five towering sixes. Farhan’s fearless approach allowed Pakistan to get off to a flying start, setting the tone for the innings.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Government has made a U-turn on its earlier stance and has now allowed the men's cricket team to play its scheduled match against India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka on February 15.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has also escaped financial sanctions or suspension for its refusal to send its men's cricket team to India to play the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, resulting in the International Cricket Council (ICC) replacing them with Scotland in the event, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
