Salman Agha sounded more relieved than triumphant after Pakistan brushed aside Namibia by 102 runs, a result that not only keeps them alive but also pushes them into the Super Eight. “We started really well in the powerplay,” he said at the presentation. “In the middle, we put good partnerships and then finished well. Sahibzada has been outstanding. The way he’s been batting the last six months, I’m very happy for him. In the bowling, we were lethal and ruthless. We bowled in the right areas, whether it was fast bowlers or spinners. I think it was a complete performance from us.”
Key facts first, then the colour. Pakistan made 199 for 4 – their second-highest total at a T20 World Cup – thanks largely to Sahibzada Farhan’s measured, almost unhurried hundred. Namibia, chasing a stiff rate from the off, were bundled out for 97 in 17.4 overs. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz shared seven wickets for 35, yet it was leg-spinner Usman Tariq who stole the eye with 4 for 16.
Pakistan had arrived with their back to the wall after a bruising loss to India. One more slip and they were flying home early for a third straight ICC event. You could sense the tension early – 32 for 1 after the first six overs isn’t exactly a charge – but Farhan’s tempo shift after drinks gave them breathing space. Twenty-two came from the 15th, 18 from the 17th, and suddenly 199 looked tall enough on a surface that slowed as the lights took hold.
During the chase most Namibian batters simply couldn’t read Tariq. Two were bowled by googlies, a couple more skied slog-sweeps. The numbers say Namibia’s control percentage against him was 52.38%; in plain English, a flip of a coin every ball. “It’s tough [even] facing him in the nets,” Agha admitted later. “I have played him in domestic cricket, and it’s very hard. He’s tough to pick, and when he pauses, it becomes very difficult. But I’m very happy he’s playing for us and very happy for him the way he’s bowling. I really hope he can bowl in the business end the way he’s bowling right now and win us more games.”
The balance of Pakistan’s attack – one specialist quick, everyone else spin or seam-up all-rounders – has been questioned all fortnight. Across four matches they have sent down only 16.3 overs of pace compared with 60.5 of spin. Agha, though, isn’t losing sleep. “We have the luxury of spinners, allrounders who can bat and bowl. We also have proper match-winners when it comes to spin bowling. If you have that many spin bowlers in Sri Lanka, you don’t really need to bowl fast bowlers in the middle. If we need to, we have the bowlers who can do that, but right now we’re fine bowling with the spinners.”
Next up are New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka – tougher on paper, certainly quicker with the bat. Agha kept it simple. “I think we have been playing very good cricket, as has New Zealand. So I’m hoping for a good game. If we replicate the way we’re playing right now, I think we’ll be fine.”
A controlled confidence, then, without the swagger. Pakistan have done the minimum required. Now the harder part begins.
