Sahibzada Farhan Joins Elite List with Historic T20 World Cup Century in Colombo
COLOMBO — In a defining performance at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Sahibzada Farhan etched his name into the record books on Wednesday, becoming only the second Pakistani batter in history to score a century in a T20 World Cup match. Farhan’s unbeaten 100 off 57 balls anchored Pakistan to a commanding 199 for 3, setting the stage for a massive 102-run victory over Namibia and securing the team’s spot in the Super Eight stage.
The 29-year-old opener followed in the footsteps of Ahmad Shehzad, the only other Pakistani to achieve triple figures in the tournament’s history. The innings marked a complete turnaround for a player who went unsold in the initial drafts of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 before fighting his way back into the national setup.
Match Report: Pakistan Dominate in Colombo
After opting to bat first, the Salman Ali Agha-led side made significant adjustments following a loss to India, omitting Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed. The new-look lineup faced a disciplined start from Namibia. Openers Farhan and Saim Ayub navigated a tricky opening spell from JJ Smit and Ruben Trumpelmann, with the powerplay yielding 47 runs for the loss of Ayub (14).
While the middle overs presented a challenge against spinners Willem Myburgh and Bernard Scholtz, the momentum shifted when captain Salman Ali Agha (38 off 25) and Farhan targeted the boundaries. Agha’s departure brought Shadab Khan to the crease, who provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 36 off 22 balls.
However, the day belonged to Farhan. battling severe cramps, he accelerated from a scratchy fifty (37 balls) to a blistering hundred in just 20 additional deliveries. His innings featured 11 fours and four sixes, dismantling the Namibian attack in the death overs.
Namibia’s Chase Falters
In response, Namibia crumbled under pressure, skittling for just 97 runs in 17.3 overs. Pakistan’s spinners dominated the second innings, with Usman Tariq claiming 4 for 16 and Shadab Khan taking 3 for 19. The 102-run margin of victory provided a significant boost to Pakistan’s Net Run Rate (NRR) heading into the Super Eight.
Statistical Highlights
- Sahibzada Farhan: 2nd Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup Century (100* off 57).
- Partnership: Farhan and Shadab added 50+ runs in the final overs to push the total near 200.
- Bowling Figures: Usman Tariq (4/16) produced a match-winning spell.
- Record Context: Farhan has scored five T20 centuries since the start of 2025, the most by any batter globally in that period.
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 199/3 (20 ov) | S. Farhan 100* (57), S. Agha 38 (25), S. Khan 36* (22) |
| Namibia | 97 all out (17.3 ov) | U. Tariq 4/16, S. Khan 3/19, J. Brassell 2/48 |
| Result: Pakistan won by 102 runs | ||
From Unsold to Centurion: Farhan’s Journey
Farhan’s trajectory to this World Cup milestone has been turbulent. Despite scoring 605 runs in the 2025 National T20 Cup, he was initially overlooked in the PSL draft. Picked up later by Islamabad United, he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 449 runs.
Known for his outspoken nature, Farhan has previously challenged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management regarding batting positions. “I did not get proper chances as an opener. I have the right to play as an opener for Pakistan,” Farhan stated in 2024. His performance in Colombo serves as a definitive validation of his claims.
Ahmad Shehzad, the first Pakistani centurion in T20 World Cups, publicly congratulated Farhan on X (formerly Twitter), calling the innings a “historic century” and praising Farhan’s class and resilience.
For more detailed statistics and tournament standings, visit the official International Cricket Council (ICC) website or check match analysis on ESPNcricinfo.