Ton-up Farhan helps Pakistan seal Super Eight spot with Namibia rout

COLOMBO (AFP): Sahibzada Farhan hit a magnificent unbeaten century to help Pakistan seal the final Super Eight berth at the T20 World Cup with a thumping 102-run win over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday.

Farhan scored 100 not out off 58 balls with four sixes and 10 fours as Pakistan posted  199-3 before they routed Namibia for 97 in 17.3 overs.

Pakistan’s victory took them to six points from four games in Group A and eliminated the United States, who finished with four points.

India also have six points and play the Netherlands in the group’s final game later Wednesday.

The defending champions India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies will play each other in the Super eights Group 1, hosted in India.

Pakistan join New Zealand, England and co-hosts Sri Lanka in Group 2, hosted in Sri Lanka.

Sahibzada Farhan hit a magnificent unbeaten century to take his side to 199-3 in their must-win T20 World Cup clash against Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old finished 100 not out off 58 balls for his first T20 international ton, containing four sixes and 11 fours.

After losing to India on Sunday, a second defeat would eliminate Pakistan, who opted to bat after winning the toss, with the USA or Netherlands progressing from Group A.

Farhan blasted a six and a four off pace bowler Jack Brassell to enter the 90s before taking a single off Gerhard Erasmus to complete his hundred in the final over.

Farhan is the only second Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup century after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014 against Bangladesh.

Shadab Khan, promoted to number five with Babar Azam left out, hit three sixes and a four in his 36 not out off 22 balls as Pakistan smashed 42 from the last three overs.

Farhan put on 40 for the opening wicket with Saim Ayub (14) before consolidating the innings during a 67-run second wicket stand with captain Salman Agha (38).

Pakistan also left out pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi after a poor show in the first three matches, including conceding 31 in two overs in the defeat against India on Sunday.

Farhan’s ton means this is the first T20 World Cup in which three centuries have been scored.

He followed Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, who scored a hundred against Australia on Monday, and Canada’s Yuvraj Sama who reached three figures against New Zealand on Tuesday.

Pakistan are currently batting in a crucial match against Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup. 

National team captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first.

Two changes have been made to the side, with Mirza Salman and Khawaja Nafay replacing Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed in the playing XI.

It is worth noting that Pakistan must win today’s match against Namibia to secure a place in the Super Eight stage. If the match is washed out due to rain, Pakistan will still qualify for the next round.

However, a defeat to Namibia would see the United States advance to the Super Eight on the basis of a superior net run rate.

In two other matches of the event, to be played today, South Africa will face UAE in Delhi while India and Netherlands will face each other in Ahmedabad.