Pakistan looks to avoid Namibia slip-up
Under the flood lights in Colombo, with the sea breeze drifting across the SSC Cricket Ground, today’s ICC T20 World Cup Group A clash against Namibia feels less like a dead rubber and more like a final for Pakistan (starts 11:30 Namibian time).
After being hammered by India and watching the USA climb above them on net run rate, there is no safety net left – Pakistan have to win, if they want to keep their Super 8 hopes alive.
Namibia’s FNB Eagles, winless and already out of the race, might be playing without pressure, but that could only make them more dangerous.
Batting balance still elusive
Pakistan's campaign so far has been a story of missed chances and uneven performances. They were nearly stunned by the Netherlands before Faheem Ashraf's late cameo rescued them, steadied themselves against the USA, and then were completely outplayed by India.
With the bat, the burden has fallen heavily on Sahibzada Farhan, who has 120 runs in the tournament including a blazing 73 off 41 against USA. Around him, though, the returns have been thin.
Babar Azam’s 66 runs have come at a strike rate under 116, not ideal in modern T20 cricket, while Saim Ayub, Agha Salman and Shadab Khan have all struggled to make telling contributions. Shadab and Usman Khan have flashed their power without truly shaping an innings, leaving Pakistan too often short of the explosives they crave.
Spinners in search of spark
Ironically, it is Ayub who has been Pakistan's standout with the ball, leading their bowling charts and coming off a fine three-wicket haul in the last game. Usman Tariq's unusual action and deliberate pause have quietly brought control, but the bigger names – Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab have managed only eight wickets between them across three matches on spin-friendly surfaces.
Salman Agha's surprise decision to bowl himself against India paid off instantly when he removed Abhishek Sharma, adding a useful extra option, but Shaheen Afridi's lack of early breakthroughs remains a concern. Whether Pakistan go all-in with spin again or bring back Salman Mirza's pace is one of the key selection calls.
Bright starts, empty finishes
Namibia, despite three defeats, have shown enough to prove they belong at this level.
Their biggest frustration has been building batting partnerships. Only Louren Steenkamp has passed fifty, while Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Jan Frylinck have started brightly without kicking on. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit have been forced to play rescue acts too often after middle-order collapses in big chases against India and the USA.
Skipper sets the tone
Erasmus, however, has led superbly with the ball, taking six wickets including a career-best 4 for 20 against India, while Willem Myburgh has impressed with his economy.
The pacers, Ruben Trumpelmann and Max Heingo, have not quite hit their straps, but Namibia will hope Colombo's slow, gripping surface levels the contest.
Team Form
(Last five T20Is, latest result first)
Pakistan – LWWWW | Namibia – LLLWL.
A test of nerves
These sides met once before at a T20 World Cup in 2021, with Pakistan coming out on top.
Pakistan's advantage of having played all their games in Sri Lanka could be vital, especially against a Namibian side adjusting after travelling from India.
One slip-up, though, and Pakistan risk a second straight group-stage exit – a thought that will be hanging heavily over this high-stakes evening in Colombo.
– Adapted from ICC-cricket.com
Comments
Sportwrap
No comments have been left on this article