Pakistan outclass USA by 32 runs in T20 World Cup clash
News Desk
Colombo: A disciplined bowling effort backed by a strong batting display helped Pakistan secure a comprehensive 32-run victory over the United States in the 12th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the SSC Ground on Tuesday.
Chasing a challenging target of 191, USA were restricted to 158 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, despite a few spirited contributions in the middle order.
The chase began positively for the associate side as openers Andries Gous and Shayan added 42 runs at a brisk pace. The partnership was broken when Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Gous, who scored 13 off 13 balls, slowing USA’s momentum.
Captain Monank Patel struggled to get going and was trapped by Shadab Khan in the ninth over, departing for three off 10 balls. Shadab struck again in the following over to remove Shayan, who top-scored at the time with 49 off 34 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
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Shubham Ranjane and Milind Kumar then attempted to revive the innings with a 54-run stand for the fourth wicket. The partnership ended in the 16th over when Usman Tariq dismissed Kumar for 29, triggering a late collapse. USA lost four wickets in quick succession, including Ranjane, who was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the final over after a fighting 51 off 29 balls.
Tariq led Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 3 for 27, while Shadab claimed 2 for 26. Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 190 for nine after being put in to bat by USA captain Monank Patel, a decision that ultimately backfired.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a flying start, racing to 54 in the first five overs. USA clawed back in the final over of the powerplay as Shadley van Schalkwyk struck twice, dismissing Ayub for 19 and captain Salman Ali Agha for one, leaving Pakistan at 56 for two.
Babar Azam then joined Farhan, and the pair steadied the innings with an 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Babar was dismissed in the 15th over after scoring 46 off 32 balls, while Farhan followed soon after for a blazing 73 off 41 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes.
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Shadab Khan added late impetus with a quickfire 30 off 12 deliveries during a 34-run stand with Mohammad Nawaz. However, Pakistan lost wickets towards the end and finished just short of the 200-mark.
Van Schalkwyk was the pick of the USA bowlers, returning excellent figures of 4 for 25, while Saurabh Netravalkar, Mohammad Mohsin and Harmeet Singh claimed one wicket each.
The win strengthened Pakistan’s position in the tournament, underlining their depth in both batting and bowling departments.
