ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 12 : Pakistan beat USA by 32 runs
Pakistan beat USA by 32 runs: Farhan's 73 and Spinners Seal Revenge Victory
Pakistan exorcised the ghosts of their stunning 2024 T20 World Cup upset defeat by comprehensively beating USA by 32 runs in Match 12 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on February 10, 2026. Sahibzada Farhan's electrifying 73 off 41 balls and Babar Azam's composed 46 off 32 balls powered Pakistan to a competitive 190/9 in 20 overs. In response, despite Shubham Ranjane's valiant 51 off 30 balls and Shayan Jahangir's 49 off 34, USA's chase faltered against Pakistan's clinical spin attack led by debutant Usman Tariq (3/22) and Shadab Khan (2/26), restricting them to 158/8 and securing Pakistan's second consecutive win in Group A.
Match Scorecard
Player of the Match: ⭐ Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
Toss: USA won the toss and elected to field first
How the Match Unfolded
Pakistan's Innings: Farhan-Babar Partnership Powers Recovery
USA won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to replicate their historic 2024 victory over Pakistan. The decision seemed vindicated early when Shadley van Schalkwyk struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Saim Ayub (19 off 17, caught by Netravalkar at 54/1) and Pakistan captain Salman Agha (1 off 3, caught by Shayan Jahangir at 56/2) to leave Pakistan wobbling at 56/2 in 5.6 overs.
Enter Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam. The duo embarked on a masterful 81-run partnership for the third wicket that transformed Pakistan's innings. Farhan, playing with sublime confidence, reached his fifty off just 27 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing his full repertoire of strokes—elegant drives, powerful pulls, and audacious lofts over the infield. Babar provided the perfect foil, rotating strike efficiently while punishing loose deliveries, reaching 42 during drinks at the 14-over mark.
Their partnership ended when Mohammad Mohsin dismissed Babar (46 off 32 balls, SR: 143.75) caught by Milind Kumar at long-on at 137/3 in the 15th over. Farhan continued his onslaught, eventually falling for a magnificent 73 off 41 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes, SR: 178.04) when Harmeet Singh had him caught by Krishnamurthi at 143/4 in the 16th over. His innings was the bedrock upon which Pakistan built their competitive total.
Shadab Khan then provided the late fireworks, smashing 30 off just 12 balls (SR: 250.00) with 4 fours and a six, taking Pakistan past 190. Mohammad Nawaz (5 off 10) struggled for timing, but Shaheen Afridi's unbeaten cameo (9 off 4 with a six) ensured Pakistan posted 190/9. Van Schalkwyk was the pick of USA's bowlers with 4/46, but the total proved to be above par on a Colombo surface offering assistance to spinners.
USA's Chase: Spinners Strangle the Challenge
Chasing 191, USA started positively with Andries Gous (13 off 13) and Shayan Jahangir taking the score to 42 before Mohammad Nawaz struck, dismissing Gous caught by Salman Agha at 42/1 in the 5th over. Jahangir continued to attack, reaching 36 by the drinks break, keeping USA's required run rate manageable at around 8.5 per over.
The turning point came when Shadab Khan introduced himself into the attack. In a devastating spell, he dismissed USA captain Monank Patel (3 off 10, caught and bowled at 58/2 in the 9th over) and then trapped Jahangir (49 off 34 with 5 fours and 2 sixes) caught by Shaheen Afridi at 69/3 in the 11th over. Jahangir's dismissal, just one run short of his fifty, broke USA's momentum completely.
Milind Kumar (29 off 22) and Shubham Ranjane (51 off 30, SR: 170.00) attempted to resurrect the chase with a gutsy 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Ranjane played with particular aggression, reaching his fifty off 28 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes, keeping USA in the hunt at 123/3 after 15 overs. However, the asking rate had climbed to over 11 per over, putting immense pressure on the lower order.
Debutant leg-spinner Usman Tariq then produced a stunning spell that effectively ended USA's hopes. He dismissed Milind Kumar (caught by Shaheen at fine leg at 123/4), Harmeet Singh (6 off 5, caught by Nawaz at 152/6), and Mohammad Mohsin (golden duck, bowled at 152/7) to finish with career-best figures of 3/22 in 4 overs. Shaheen Afridi provided the final blow, dismissing the dangerous Ranjane LBW for 51 at 156/8 in the 20th over (upheld on review), sealing Pakistan's comprehensive 32-run victory.
Star Performers
Match-Winning Knock: Anchored Pakistan's innings with a sublime 73 off 41 balls featuring 6 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 178.04. His 81-run partnership with Babar Azam laid the foundation for Pakistan's competitive total.
Dream Debut: Produced a stunning performance in his first T20I, taking 3/22 in 4 overs including two wickets in consecutive balls. His dismissals of Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, and Mohammad Mohsin broke the back of USA's chase.
Classic Innings: Played the anchor role to perfection with 46 off 32 balls (SR: 143.75) including 4 fours and 1 six. His 81-run partnership with Farhan stabilized Pakistan after early wickets.
All-Round Impact: Smashed 30 off 12 balls (SR: 250.00) with 4 fours and a six in the death overs, then took 2/26 in 4 overs including the crucial wickets of Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir to derail USA's chase.
Fighting Fifty: Led USA's resistance with a valiant 51 off 30 balls (SR: 170.00) featuring 3 fours and 3 sixes. His 54-run partnership with Milind Kumar kept USA in the hunt before falling LBW to Shaheen Afridi.
Agonizing Miss: Played brilliantly for 49 off 34 balls (SR: 144.11) with 5 fours and 2 sixes, falling one run short of his fifty when caught by Shaheen Afridi off Shadab Khan's bowling—a dismissal that proved to be the turning point.
Four-Wicket Haul: Delivered a magnificent spell of 4/46 in 4 overs, dismissing Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf. Despite his efforts, USA couldn't restrict Pakistan below 190.
Crucial Support: Contributed 29 off 22 balls (SR: 131.81) with 2 fours and 1 six, adding 54 runs with Ranjane for the fourth wicket to keep USA's hopes alive until the 16th over.
Early Breakthrough: Provided Pakistan with the crucial early wicket of Andries Gous (13 off 13) caught by Salman Agha in the 5th over, finishing with 1/32 in 4 overs to maintain pressure.
Key Moments That Defined The Match
Numbers That Mattered
🇵🇰 Pakistan Total
190/9 (20 overs)
Run Rate: 9.50 per over
Farhan 73 (41) - 38% of team total
81-run partnership between Farhan-Babar
🇺🇸 USA Chase
158/8 (20 overs)
Run Rate: 7.90 per over
Fell short by 32 runs
Required 9.55 RPO but managed only 7.90
🎯 Turning Point
Shadab's Double Strike
Dismissed Patel & Jahangir in 3 overs
USA collapsed from 50/1 to 69/3
Momentum shifted decisively to Pakistan
⚡ Strike Rate Battle
Farhan: 178.04
Shadab Khan: 250.00
Ranjane (USA): 170.00
Pakistan's higher SR proved crucial
🎳 Spin Dominance
Pakistan Spinners: 6/80 in 16 overs
Usman Tariq: 3/22 (debut)
Shadab Khan: 2/26
Mohammad Nawaz: 1/32
🏏 Boundary Count
Pakistan: 21 boundaries
11 fours, 10 sixes
USA: 18 boundaries
11 fours, 7 sixes
📊 Partnership Highlights
Farhan-Babar: 81 runs (PAK)
Highest partnership of the match
Ranjane-Milind: 54 runs (USA)
4th wicket stand kept USA in hunt
🏆 Winning Margin
32 runs
Pakistan's 2nd consecutive win
Revenge for 2024 upset defeat
Pakistan tops Group A standings
Phase-wise Breakdown
| Phase | Pakistan | USA | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (1-6) | 56/2 (9.33 RPO) | 50/1 (8.33 RPO) | Pakistan batting |
| Middle Overs (7-15) | 87/2 (9.66 RPO) | 73/3 (8.11 RPO) | Pakistan bowling |
| Death Overs (16-20) | 47/5 (9.40 RPO) | 35/4 (7.00 RPO) | Pakistan bowling |
| Total | 190/9 (9.50 RPO) | 158/8 (7.90 RPO) | Pakistan by 32 runs |
What This Result Means
Revenge Complete: Pakistan exorcised the demons of their shocking 2024 T20 World Cup defeat to USA in Dallas, securing a convincing 32-run victory to restore pride.
Group A Leaders: With two consecutive wins (Netherlands and USA), Pakistan tops Group A with 4 points, setting up a strong position for qualification to the Super 8 stage.
Spin Arsenal Shines: Debutant Usman Tariq's 3/22 and Shadab Khan's 2/26 showcase Pakistan's spin depth—a crucial weapon for Sri Lankan conditions and later stages.
Farhan's Emergence: Sahibzada Farhan's back-to-back fifties (73 vs USA, 50+ in previous match) establish him as a reliable top-order option alongside Babar Azam.
Momentum Builder: The comprehensive nature of the win boosts team confidence heading into the crucial Group A clashes.
Reality Check: After their historic 2024 upset over Pakistan, USA couldn't replicate the magic in 2026. The 32-run defeat highlights the challenge of sustaining success against top nations.
Middle-Overs Collapse: Losing Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir to Shadab Khan's spin in quick succession (58/2 to 69/3) exposed USA's vulnerability against quality spin bowling.
Positives Despite Loss: Shubham Ranjane's fighting 51 and Shayan Jahangir's 49 demonstrate USA's batting talent. Van Schalkwyk's 4/46 proves their bowling has teeth against world-class opposition.
Learning Curve: The defeat provides valuable lessons about chasing 190+ totals on turning tracks—crucial experience for USA's cricketing development.
Must-Win Situation: USA's qualification hopes now depend on winning remaining Group A matches, making upcoming fixtures virtual knockouts.
Group A Dynamics: Pakistan's victory shakes up Group A, with India, Pakistan, and potentially South Africa emerging as favorites for Super 8 qualification.
Spin Factor Established: The match confirms that spinners will play a dominant role in this World Cup, with 6 wickets falling to spin in USA's innings alone.
Revenge Narrative Concluded: Pakistan's emphatic win closes the chapter on their 2024 upset loss, allowing them to focus entirely on progressing deep into the tournament.
USA's Cinderella Story Challenged: While USA shocked the world in 2024, this defeat suggests replicating such upsets requires near-perfect execution against top-tier opposition.
Tactical Analysis & Key Takeaways
1. Farhan-Babar Partnership: The Innings Architect: Pakistan's 81-run partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam (from 56/2 to 137/3) was the cornerstone of their competitive total. Farhan's aggressive intent (SR: 178.04) complemented Babar's classical accumulation (SR: 143.75) perfectly. This partnership consumed 53 balls and changed the complexion of the innings from precarious to commanding. Farhan's ability to clear the boundary six times while maintaining control demonstrated his maturity, while Babar's rotation of strike ensured momentum never stalled. This template—one attacking batsman and one anchor—proved to be Pakistan's most effective strategy.
2. Shadab Khan's Dual Impact as Match-Winner: Shadab Khan's all-round brilliance was the difference between a competitive total and a match-winning score. His batting cameo (30 off 12 balls, SR: 250.00) added crucial late runs, lifting Pakistan from 143/4 to 177/5 in just 12 balls. Then, with the ball, his dismissals of USA captain Monank Patel (caught and bowled) and the dangerous Shayan Jahangir (caught by Shaheen) in quick succession broke USA's chase momentum. His bowling figures of 2/26 in 4 overs (economy: 6.50) demonstrate his control and wicket-taking ability. Modern T20 cricket rewards such multi-dimensional players who contribute across phases.
3. Usman Tariq's Dream Debut: Spin Weapon Unlocked: Debutant leg-spinner Usman Tariq's 3/22 in 4 overs was a revelation for Pakistan. His dismissals of Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, and Mohammad Mohsin (the latter two in consecutive balls) showcased traditional leg-spin skills—flight, turn, and deception. In an era dominated by wrist-spinners who rely on pace variations, Tariq's classical approach proved devastatingly effective on Colombo's turning surface. His economy rate of 5.50 was the best among all bowlers, highlighting his control. Pakistan has unearthed a genuine wicket-taking option for middle overs, adding depth to their spin arsenal alongside Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed.
4. USA's Middle-Overs Batting Collapse: USA's chase faltered during overs 7-15, where they scored only 73 runs while losing 3 wickets (including the crucial dismissals of Patel and Jahangir). This phase required a scoring rate of approximately 8-9 per over to maintain pressure, but Pakistan's spinners—Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq, and Mohammad Nawaz—combined to concede just 80 runs in 16 overs while taking 6 wickets. USA's batsmen struggled to sweep, slog-sweep, or use their feet effectively against quality spin, exposing a technical vulnerability that other teams will target. The inability to rotate strike (dot ball percentage above 40% in middle overs) allowed Pakistan to build sustained pressure that eventually proved insurmountable.
5. Van Schalkwyk's Bowling Brilliance Despite Defeat: Despite being on the losing side, Shadley van Schalkwyk's 4/46 in 4 overs deserves special mention. His dismissals of Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf demonstrated his ability to exploit conditions and bowl effectively at all phases—powerplay, middle overs, and death. However, his economy rate of 11.50 highlights the modern T20 conundrum: taking wickets doesn't guarantee victory if you're also being attacked. Pakistan scored 47 runs off his 4 overs despite losing 4 wickets, showcasing their aggressive approach even when losing partners. This match reinforces that containing runs while taking wickets is the golden standard for T20 bowling success.
6. The Colombo Pitch Factor and Strategic Toss Decision: USA's decision to bowl first after winning the toss backfired strategically. The Sinhalese Sports Club pitch in Colombo traditionally offers early moisture that assists seamers, but as it dries under lights, it begins to grip and turn, favoring spinners. Pakistan's score of 190/9—built on the back of Farhan and Babar's partnership before the pitch deteriorated—proved difficult to chase as spinners exploited increasing turn and variable bounce. USA's chase required 9.55 runs per over, but against quality spin on a wearing surface, they managed only 7.90. In subcontinent conditions, batting first often provides a psychological advantage by posting a target, and Pakistan exploited this perfectly.
Historical Context: Pakistan's Redemption Arc
The significance of this victory extends beyond the scorecard. In the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies, Pakistan suffered one of the most shocking defeats in cricket history when USA—playing in just their first major ICC tournament—defeated them in a Super Over thriller in Dallas. That loss sent shockwaves through Pakistani cricket, triggering widespread criticism and introspection about the team's preparation and mental strength.
Fast forward to February 2026, and Pakistan has emphatically answered their critics. This 32-run victory in Colombo was comprehensive in every department: batting (Farhan's 73, Babar's 46), bowling (Usman Tariq's 3/22, Shadab's 2/26), and fielding (sharp catches and direct-hit run-outs). The manner of victory—restricting USA to 158/8 when chasing 191—demonstrates Pakistan's improved execution under pressure.
For USA, the challenge remains replicating their 2024 heroics consistently. While they possess match-winners like Shubham Ranjane, Shayan Jahangir, and Shadley van Schalkwyk, their middle-order batting against quality spin and death bowling execution need refinement to compete regularly with established nations. This defeat, however, doesn't diminish their remarkable journey from Associate cricket to competitive full members—it simply highlights the steep learning curve ahead.
With this victory, Pakistan now looks forward to the remainder of Group A with renewed confidence, knowing that their spin-heavy attack is ideally suited for Sri Lankan conditions. For fans hoping for another USA upset, this match served as a reminder that while Cinderella stories captivate the cricketing world, consistency at the highest level requires sustained excellence across all departments.