Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan’s brilliant batting performance against Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2026 match did not impress former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan on Wednesday, February 18.
Sahibzada Farhan’s century illuminated Colombo
Sahibzada Farhan scored a brilliant 100 in the final over and registered his name in the record books as the second Pakistani after Ahmed Shehzad to score a century in T20 World Cup history. However, the way he reached there became the main talking point among cricket pundits.
Pakistan had already reached 183/3 after 19 overs. Farhan was batting on 99, while Shadab Khan was well set at the other end. Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus came to bowl the last over. Instead of attacking directly, Shadab calmly took a single on the first ball.
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On the next ball, Farhan also played a safe shot over long-on and ran for a run to complete his century. Many people were expecting a big hit from the very first ball, as it was the last over of the T20 match.
Irfan Pathan called Sahibzada selfish
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was watching closely, was surprised by the approach. He believed that in the last over, Farhan should have attacked and scored as many runs as possible instead of giving priority to his century against Namibia in Colombo.
“He has definitely scored a century, but taking a single? Incredible. Incredible! That’s what you have to do. You have to attack the off-spinner. That was not the case in the first three,” Pathan said on air. [two] Farhan or Shadab’s balls. You will be happy that you have scored a century and Pakistan has reached 199 runs. But in the last over you play defensive shots and then leave the last ball. Wonderful.”
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 18 February 2026
After Farhan’s completion, Shadab eventually went for the big shots and hit two big sixes, giving Pakistan 16 runs from the over and ending at 199/3 against Namibia.
Sahibzada joins elite list along with Farhan, Ahmed Shehzad
Opener Sahibzada Farhan scored a brilliant century against Namibia and made his place in history. It is noteworthy that Farhan touched the 100-run mark in just 57 balls. He remained unbeaten after scoring 100 runs in 58 balls. His innings included 11 excellent fours and 4 big sixes.
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With this innings, Farhan became the second Pakistani to score a century in the Men’s T20 World Cup. At number one was Ahmed Shehzad, who scored 111 runs against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2014.
Earlier, Pakistan made some changes for their crucial T20 World Cup 2026 match against Namibia. After losing badly to India in their last Group A match in Colombo on 15 February, he included Khawaja Nafee in the playing eleven and dropped Shaheen Afridi from the team.
If they win this game, Pakistan’s chances for Super 8 qualification in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 will improve significantly. In Group A, India have secured their place with three consecutive wins.