Kamal Ghorui
Sahibzada Farhan etched his name into the record books with a maiden T20I century during Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash against Namibia on Wednesday. However, while the milestone was significant, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was not entirely impressed with how the opener approached the closing moments of the innings. Farhan reached his hundred in the penultimate over but did so in a manner that raised eyebrows. On the second ball of the 20th over, he calmly pushed the delivery towards long-on for a single to bring up the landmark. In doing so, he became only the second Pakistan batter after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in the T20 World Cup.
Pathan, though, questioned the timing and intent behind the approach, suggesting that the team’s total should have been the sole focus in the final over. “He definitely has scored a century, but taking a single? Unbelievable. Unbelievable. You would be happy that you have scored a century and that Pakistan have reached 199,” Irfan said on air. “But in the last over, you play a defensive shot, then you leave the last ball. Kamaal hai,” he added. Farhan also failed to capitalise on the final delivery of the innings, unable to reach a wide ball bowled by Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus. The last over wasn’t fully maximised, and had Shadab Khan not struck two crucial sixes, Pakistan may not have pushed their total to 199. The 29-year-old eventually finished unbeaten on 100 from 58 balls, an innings decorated with 11 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 172.41. In the broader context of the match, Farhan’s century laid the foundation for Pakistan’s imposing 199/3 in Colombo. Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 38, while Shadab remained unbeaten on 36 to provide a late flourish. In reply, Namibia were outclassed as Usman Tariq’s mystery spin (4/16) dismantled the middle order and Shadab claimed 3/19. Namibia were bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs, handing Pakistan a commanding 102-run victory and confirming their place in the Super 8 stage.
