Pakistan Settle Scores with Decisive Victory Over USA

The ghosts of Dallas did not follow the Men in Green to Colombo. Exorcising the bitter memories of their 2024 shock defeat, Pakistan secured their second consecutive win in the T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding performance against the United States.

Prior to the match, American cricketer of Pakistani origin, Mohammad Mohsin, had suggested that the pressure lay entirely on the former champions, citing the historic upset from two years prior. However, in the humid conditions of Sri Lanka, Pakistan refused to buckle, securing a 32-run victory that places them firmly on the path to the Super Eight stage.

The First Innings: Explosive Starts and Middle-Order Resilience

Pakistan’s intent was clear from the onset, as the opening pair raced to 54 runs within the first five overs. The momentum was briefly checked by the veteran medium-pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk, who removed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha in a clinical sixth over.

Despite the quick wickets, Sahibzada Farhan anchored the innings with a brutal display of hitting. Farhan reached his half-century in just 27 deliveries, eventually finishing with a magnificent 73 off 41 balls. He shared a crucial 82-run partnership with Babar Azam, who played a measured supporting role. A late-order cameo from Shadab Khan, who struck 30 runs off just 12 balls, looked set to propel the score past the 200-mark. However, Van Schalkwyk’s brilliance in the death overs—claiming 4 wickets for 25 runs—restricted Pakistan to 190.

USA Chase: A Brave Effort Falls Short

The United States began their pursuit of 191 with genuine aggression, with the openers putting on 42 runs in under five overs. Mohammad Nawaz provided the vital breakthrough by dismissing Andries Gous, triggering a middle-order collapse.

While Shubham Ranjane kept American hopes alive with a spirited 51 off 30 balls, including three sixes, the lack of support from the other end proved fatal. Pakistan’s spin duo, Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan, strangled the scoring rate in the middle overs, ensuring the required run rate climbed beyond reach.

Result: Pakistan won by 32 runs.

Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan.

Strategic Implications for the Super Eight

With two wins from two matches—having previously defeated the Netherlands—Pakistan have all but erased the trauma of their early exit in the previous edition. The balance of the side looks formidable, with the emergence of Usman Tariq adding a new dimension to their spin attack. For the USA, while the defeat is a setback, the form of Van Schalkwyk remains a silver lining as they look to keep their tournament hopes alive.