Spinners help Pakistan secure second win

Wednesday, 11 February 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

USA lose T20 World Cup game by 32 runs

Spin heavy Pakistan unsettled USA for 158-8 to give their side a win by 32 runs - their second successive win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match which was played under lights for the first time at the SSC grounds yesterday.

Pakistan went with five spinners yesterday, replacing Salman Mirza with Usman Tariq, and they came to the party to derail USA’s chase. Pakistan’s total of 190-9 was a formidable one to begin with led by the efforts of opening bat Sahibzada Farhan who scored 73 off just 41 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes).

Thanks to Player of the Match Farhan who with help from Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, Pakistan scored their highest total at a T20 World Cup since they made 201-5 against Bangladesh in 2016. The USA found a way back into the game through Shadley van Schalkwyk, who took two wickets in one over to slow the scoring. However, Babar and Farhan joined forces to build a massive 81-run partnership off 52 balls, and looked set to post a huge total.

Towards the end, Shadab provided a late boost by smashing a quick-fire 30 runs in only 12 balls (4 fours, 1 six) to push the total closer to the 200-run mark. The momentum shifted once more when Van Schalkwyk returned to the attack, claiming two more vital wickets to finish with excellent figures of 4/25 as Pakistan lost five wickets in 10 balls. His performance perfectly matched his clinical bowling against India where he had similar figures and helped limit the damage. But with the scoreboard pressure mounting, USA had a tall chase in hand.

The pitch was a good one and USA started well in the powerplay. However, once Shadab Khan came into the attack and started applying the squeeze along with Mohammad Nawaz, the run chase came to a stall. In the six overs after the powerplay, USA managed just 29 while losing two wickets. It was the phase where the game was decided and while Shubham Ranjane batted well for his half-century (51 off 30 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) later on, the win was out of sight by then. – [ST]

Scores:

Pakistan 190-9 (20) (Sahibzada Farhan 73, Babar Azam 46, Shadab Khan 30, Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25)

USA 158-8 (20) (Shayan Jahangir 49, Milind Kumar 29, Shubham Ranjane 51, Shadab Khan 2/26, Usman Tariq 3/27)