In a commanding display at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Pakistan secured a thrilling 32-run victory over the USA in the 12th match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday. This back-to-back win propelled the Men in Green to the top of Group A points table with an impressive net run rate of +0.932.
Losing the toss and batting first, Pakistan posted a formidable 190/9 in their 20 overs. The innings kicked off with a fiery opening stand of 54 runs in just 5.1 overs between Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. Ayub fell for 19 off 17 balls, smashing two sixes and a four, while captain Salman Agha managed just a single run.
At 56/2, Farhan anchored the innings brilliantly, forging an 81-run partnership off 52 balls with Babar Azam for the third wicket. Babar scored a brisk 46 off 32 deliveries with five boundaries, pushing the score to 137. Farhan then departed for a match-winning 73 off 41 balls, featuring five sixes and six fours.
Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan added crucial runs with a quick 34-run stand off 16 balls for the fifth wicket. Shadab’s explosive 30 off 12 balls, laced with five boundaries, bolstered Pakistan’s total. USA’s Sheldley van Schalkwyk starred with the ball, claiming 4/25 in four overs, supported by Saurabh Netravalkar, Mohammad Mohsin, and Harmeet Singh with one wicket each.
Chasing 191, USA crumbled to 158/8 in 20 overs. Openers Andries Gous and Shayn Jahangir put on 42 runs in 4.5 overs before Gous was dismissed for 13. Jahangir fought hard with 49 off 34 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes), but USA slipped to 69/3.
Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane mounted a recovery with a 54-run fourth-wicket stand off 34 balls. Milind made 29, while Ranjane smashed 51 off 30 balls with six boundaries. However, it wasn’t enough to overhaul the target.
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq was the wrecker-in-chief with 3/27, nearly grabbing a hat-trick in the 19th over by dismissing Harmeet Singh (6) and Mohammad Mohsin (0). Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with one wicket apiece. This victory solidifies Pakistan’s dominance in Group A as they eye a strong campaign ahead.