Sahibzada Farhan's Fifty Sets the Stage for Pakistan's 164 Against England
Farhan's Fifty Guides Pakistan to 164/9
Sahibzada Farhan led Pakistan to a total of 164 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs during a crucial Super 8 match against England at Pallekele, Sri Lanka, in the T20 World Cup 2026. England's disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Liam Dawson, effectively restricted Pakistan's scoring opportunities.
England Strike Early Despite Pakistan Opting to Bat
After winning the toss, Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha chose to bat first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. However, this decision proved to be a tough one as England's bowlers, particularly Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer, consistently dismantled partnerships.
England made an early breakthrough when Jofra Archer dismissed Saim Ayub for 7 runs in the third over, caught by Jacob Bethell. The situation worsened for Pakistan when Liam Dawson took out the captain, Salman Ali Agha, for just 5 runs, leaving the team at a precarious 27 for 2 in just 3.3 overs.
Farhan's Record-Breaking Knock
Despite the early setbacks, Sahibzada Farhan (63 runs off 45 balls) and Babar Azam (25 runs off 24 balls) managed to stabilize the innings, bringing the score to 46 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay.
Farhan was the standout player for Pakistan, showcasing a mix of patience and aggression. He reached his half-century in just 37 balls and set a record by hitting his 13th six of the tournament, the highest by any Pakistani in a single T20 World Cup. Additionally, he became the second Pakistani player to score three or more fifties in a World Cup edition, following Babar Azam's four in 2021.
Late Collapse Halts Pakistan's Momentum
Farhan shared a crucial 46-run partnership with Babar Azam before Jamie Overton dismissed the former captain for 25 runs. Just as Pakistan seemed poised to accelerate, Overton struck again, trapping the dangerous Sahibzada LBW in the 16th over.
From a solid position of 122 for 3, Pakistan faced a dramatic collapse as Fakhar Zaman (25) fell to Adil Rashid after a brief innings. Liam Dawson turned the tide in the 18th over, taking out Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz in consecutive deliveries, while Jofra Archer returned to dismiss Shaheen Afridi for just 2 runs.
Shadab Khan provided a late surge with a quick 23 runs off 11 balls, including four boundaries, as Pakistan concluded their innings at 164 for 9. Liam Dawson's impressive bowling figures of 3 wickets for 24 runs in 4 overs were the highlight of England's bowling performance.