Pakistan vs USA Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan secure comfortable 32-run victory against USA

What's next? Another triple dose of cricket awaits on Wednesday, 11th February. The day begins with a tantalising Group D clash as South Africa lock horns with Afghanistan in the morning, in Ahmedabad. The base then shifts to Colombo, where Australia finally roll out their campaign at the R. Premadasa Stadium against Ireland. And under the Mumbai lights, the day signs off with a heavyweight clash as West Indies square off against England at the Wankhede. The action gets underway at 5.30 am GMT, but tune in early for all the pre-match buzz and all the exciting build-up. For now, it’s goodbye from us, only to meet again the next time. Take care, stay safe. Ta-ta. Cheers!

Another absorbing day of cricket - And just like that, the fourth day of the ICC T20 World Cup comes to a close. The day kicked off with the Netherlands cruising past Namibia in a fine fashion. What followed was history, as New Zealand tore through the United Arab Emirates with a record shattering 10 wicket win. Under lights, Pakistan finished the job, easing past the USA without any drama like their previous meet to stay unbeaten and stamp their authority as strong contenders for a Super 8 berth from Group A.

The victorious captain of Pakistan - SALMAN AGHA says he is always smiling and jokes that it would be rare to see him otherwise. He describes the result as a clinical win, pointing out that after struggling in the middle overs in the previous game, Pakistan addressed that area well this time around. Highlights that once the team got to 190, he felt confident they had enough to defend. Agha adds that he would have chosen to bat first after winning the toss, explaining that with the variety in Pakistan’s bowling attack, they back themselves to win even while defending totals in the 160 to 170 range. He stresses that the side is comfortable chasing as well and underlines the flexibility in the batting order.  Notes that while the top three are likely to remain consistent, there is freedom to reshuffle beyond that. He concludes by saying there is always room for improvement, especially in the Powerplay with the ball, admitting they were good in patches but can still be more clinical.

The captain of the USA - MONANK PATEL reflects on the defeat. He says the USA bowled decently in the Powerplay but failed to maintain control through the middle overs, before the pacers pulled things back in the final four. He feels they were still in the contest while chasing 190. Patel admits that with the bat, they began well in the Powerplay but lacked intent in the middle phase, where Pakistan’s spinners took the pace off and made boundary hitting difficult. He also concedes that the batting unit panicked, which led to the steady loss of wickets and ultimately cost them the game. He points out that the team has played good cricket over the past 12 to 15 months and came into this match with confidence despite it being their second game. Patel concedes that small errors made the difference and stresses the importance of finishing the World Cup strongly with two wins. He also accepts the challenge of playing across different venues, noting that the team now moves to Chennai, where they will have a single session before working hard to bounce back stronger.

... It is time to hear it from the captains now ...

Ranjane shines in adversity - Once again, the familiar issues came back to haunt the USA. The spin quintet of Pakistan slammed the brakes on in that middle phase, strangling the scoring and forcing errors out of the batters. Batters came and went in a steady procession, as the USA were completely shut out from forming any partnership of substance. Out of all, Shubham Ranjane stood out with a classy 51 off 30 balls, albeit in a losing cause. However, he has given a solid account of himself in both games, against two big opponents, setting an example for others.

Promise faded as pressure built - Chasing a stiff target, USA needed a proactive start and they got exactly that. Shayan began a touch scratchy but soon found his rhythm, while Gous failed to stay long at the crease. Pakistan leaned heavily on spin with Shaheen the lone frontline seamer, yet the surface offered plenty for batting. At 50 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay, the Americans had laid a solid base to build on. However, Pakistan clawed their way back by stitching together a series of quiet overs, steadily cranking up the asking rate and shifting the momentum.

Farhan’s blaze meets van Schalkwyk’s four-for - Pakistan burst out of the blocks with intent, with both openers going hard and putting the USA bowlers under early pressure. Sahibzada Farhan led the charge, blazing his way to a 27-ball fifty to hand Pakistan a commanding platform. USA clawed their way back through Shadley van Schalkwyk, who dented the momentum with two wickets in a single over. Babar and Farhan then rebuilt with a dominant 81-run stand, threatening to blow the game open, before van Schalkwyk returned, snapping up two more wickets and finishing with an outstanding 4/25. Shadab's quick cameo of 30 from just 12 balls helped Pakistan to breach the 190-run mark as Pakistan smashed 45 runs in the last four overs.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - SAHIBZADA FARHAN gets the award for his fantastic 73 off 41 balls. Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram is out in the middle to translate it in English. Sahibzada Farhan says the ball was coming onto the bat beautifully during net sessions, adding that he told his batting coach he was feeling confident and backed himself to score runs in this match. Adds that this pitch was better and their plan was to make the most of the Powerplay. He ends by saying that they are going to play with the same mindset against India and give their best.

Pakistan fly high in Colombo - After an underwhelming show against the Netherlands, Pakistan have roared back in style, putting on a complete performance and winning this convincingly by 32 runs. Plenty of positives to take, with Babar back among the runs when it mattered, and the spinners tightening the noose relentlessly, accounting for seven of the eight wickets to crush the chase. For the USA, the concerns are mounting, and more worryingly, they are becoming a recurring theme within the batting unit. The middle order has struggled to soak up pressure time and again, and they will be hoping that added exposure at this level helps them find answers sooner rather than later.

Shaheen Afridi to Ehsan Adil, A yorker, on middle, Ehsan Adil digs it back to the bowler. Pakistan beat USA by 32 runs!

Shaheen Afridi to Shadley van Schalkwyk, Another low full toss in an attempt at a yorker, Shadley van Schalkwyk taps it to mid off. Babar Azam runs to his left and makes a good stop. Keeps it to a single.

Shaheen Afridi to Ehsan Adil, A full toss, on off, Ehsan Adil knocks it to mid off for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A direct hit would have been interesting.

Ehsan Adil is in at number 10.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, OUT! LBW! Shaheen gets his first wicket after a bit of an off day. Afridi fires one in on a fuller length, right in front of the sticks. Shubham Ranjane stays put and tries to work it across the line, but ends up playing all over the line. The ball beats the inside edge and strikes on the back pad. Given LBW on the appeal, but Shubham has reviewed it straightaway. UltraEdge comes up with a flat line and the Ball Tracking confirms the ball is projected to crash into the off and middle stumps. Shubham takes the review with him as his fine 51 off 30 balls comes to an end.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, On a length, on off, Shubham Ranjane punches it to the cover fielder.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, FOUR! Fifty up for Shubham Ranjane! A well-made 37 against India, in a losing cause, and now, he betters his tally in this World Cup, but again, when the game has long slipped away. But something positive for the USA in heaps of problems with the inconsistency in their batting unit. A low full toss, outside off, Shubham Ranjane picks it well and slashes it over a leaping cover fielder for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi to close out the game. 3-0-36-0 so far are his bowling figures.

Usman Tariq to Shadley van Schalkwyk, Flatter, outside off, with a pause. Shadley van Schalkwyk swings hard but misses. Usman Tariq misses out on his hat-trick.

Shadley van Schalkwyk is in next.

Usman Tariq to Mohammad Mohsin, OUT! TIMBER! Usman Tariq is on a hat-trick now. Tariq holds his nerve and waits for Mohsin to show his cards early. Mohsin shuffles too far across the stumps, and Tariq fires it in full on the leg stump. Mohsin swings across the line and misses, and the ball crashes into the leg stump.

Mohammad Mohsin is the new batter in at 8.

Usman Tariq to Harmeet Singh, OUT! TAKEN! At 99 kph, it is a full toss, around fifth stump. Harmeet steps out, turns it into a low full toss and looks to muscle it straight down the ground, but cannot get it under it properly and mistimes it in the air. The ball dips in front of the long off fielder as Mohammad Nawaz charges in off the ropes. He slides across and takes a fine catch, maintaining possession of the ball.

Usman Tariq to Shubham Ranjane, Good fielding. Full, on leg, Shubham Ranjane sweeps it to fine leg. Abrar Ahmed dives to his left and stops a possible boundary. Keeps it to a single.

Usman Tariq to Harmeet Singh, Flatter, outside off, with the pause. Harmeet Singh chips it over mid on for just a single.

Usman Tariq to Shubham Ranjane, Nice and full, on off, Shubham Ranjane knocks it down the ground for a single. 150 comes up for USA.

Penultimate over coming up. USA need 42 from 12 balls. Usman Tariq (3-0-24-1) to bowl the 19th.

Shaheen Afridi to Harmeet Singh, FOUR! Streaky! A very ordinary over from Shaheen Afridi. Short, outside off, Harmeet Singh swings hard but gets a top edge. The ball flies over short third for a boundary. 19 runs coming from the Shaheen Afridi over. His figures read 3-0-36-0 so far.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, Goes back of a length, on middle, Shubham Ranjane swivels and pulls it through square leg for a run.

Shaheen Afridi to Harmeet Singh, Much fuller, on off, Harmeet Singh drills it to mid off, where the fielder misfields and allows a run.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, A touch fuller, just outside off, Shubham Ranjane eases it to cover for a single.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, SIX MORE! Two balls, two sixes for Shubham Ranjane now! On a fuller length, on off, Shubham Ranjane gets down on one knee and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for yet another six.

Shaheen Afridi to Shubham Ranjane, SIX! That's a clean hit from Shubham Ranjane! On a length, outside off, Shubham Ranjane stands tall and pumps it down the ground and over long on for a biggie.

Abrar Ahmed to Shubham Ranjane, Length ball around off. Ranjane leans on and drops it with soft hands in front of cover for a quick single.

Abrar Ahmed to Shubham Ranjane, FOUR! Nice shot! Serves it full and drifts around the pads, Shubham Ranjane gets low on his knee and sweeps it using his wrists to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Abrar Ahmed to Harmeet Singh, Length ball angling into the pads. Harmeet misses the sweep, the ball brushes the front pad and deflects towards square leg for a leg bye.

Wickets continue to fall for the USA as half their side is in the pavilion. Harmeet Singh makes his way in at number 7.

Abrar Ahmed to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, OUT! OUTFOXED! Flatter and fired in on the middle stump line, pitching and skidding through. Krishnamurthi rocks back to pull but is late on the shot, gets beaten all ends up on the inside edge as the ball crashes into the stumps. Sanjay Krishnamurthi falls for a silver duck and from 123/3, the USA have slid down to 124/5, needing 67 more.

Abrar Ahmed to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Flipper, on a length angling into the pads. Krishnamurthi misses the clip, and the ball catches him high on the front pad. A slight appeal for LBW, but wanes down instantly as the umpire denies.

Abrar Ahmed to Shubham Ranjane, A touch short, on the stumps, swept behind square on the leg side for a single.

It is falling apart for the USA now. Sanjay Krishnamurthi is in at number 6.

Usman Tariq to Milind Kumar, OUT! CAUGHT! Milind Kumar holes out and Tariq has the last laugh. This is nicely tossed up, wide outside off, on a fullish length. Milind Kumar hastes himself on the slog sweep, and only manages a fat leading edge. The ball slices back towards short third where Shaheen Afridi takes a simple catch, moving a bit to his left. Milind Kumar departs on 29 off 22.

Usman Tariq to Milind Kumar, Short of a length outside off with width on offer. Milind rocks back and carves the cut to the left of deep point, picks up a brace.

Usman Tariq to Milind Kumar, SIX! Into the arc and out of the park! Usman errs in length, as he serves a friendly half volley, on middle, Milind Kumar, despite the dramatic pause from Tariq, waits on it, getting down on his knee and nails it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Usman Tariq to Shubham Ranjane, Bowls a leg break, short and outside off, Shubham Ranjane extends his arms and slaps it wide of point for a single.

Usman Tariq to Milind Kumar, Offers more flight, full and outside off, Milind Kumar goes for the slog sweep, but is too early and inside edges. The ball squirts past the leg stump to the short fine leg fielder. They cross.

Usman Tariq to Shubham Ranjane, The carrom ball now, short and outside off, Shubham Ranjane slaps it off the back foot to long off for a run.

Usman Tariq to Shubham Ranjane, WIDE! Pushed miles outside off, on a length, Shubham leaves.

Abrar Ahmed to Milind Kumar, FOUR! Innovative and effective! Floated up, full and outside off, Milind Kumar goes for the reverse sweep. The ball pops up and turns sharply off the deck, taking the top edge and flying over short third for a boundary.