Pakistan vs Namibia highlights, T20 World Cup: Pakistan qualify for Super 8s with win over Namibia by 102 runs

The Super Eights are here - Plenty of positives for Pakistan as they head into the Super Eights. Their batters showed plenty of intent, and their fielding was sharp, with just a few lapses. Pakistan, along with India are the two teams to make it to the Super Eights from Group A.

The victorious captain of Pakistan - Salman Agha walks up for a chat. Starts by saying that it had to be a complete performance and goes on to applaud the way Sahibzada Farhan, who has been batting well, played. Further mentions that they were lethal with the ball, whether it be the pacers or the spinners. On Usman Tariq, Salman mentions that he has faced Usman in domestic competitions and feels that it is very hard to pick him and is happy that he is now doing well for the national team. On their next game against New Zealand, Salman says that if they keeping doing the same things that they have done in this game, they will do well. Ends by saying that they have the spin all-rounders and if needed, they can use the pacers in the middle over as well and chuckles a bit as he says you don't need to bowl much pace in Sri Lanka anyway.

The captain of Namibia - Gerhard Erasmus reflects on the defeat. He says it was encouraging to see a young player like Brassell charging in, backed up by Smit and Trumpelmann. However, he admits that they were unable to apply pressure with a few early wickets. Commenting on Pakistan’s spin attack, Erasmus says it’s a special skill to be able to turn the ball both ways as they do. He adds that Namibia will take that on board and work on improving their batting against such bowling. On the 2027 World Cup coming to Namibia, he shares his excitement about the growing cricket scene in the country, with plenty of games throughout the year, and says the team is looking forward to hosting the big event at home.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Sahibzada Farhan gets the accolade for his unbeaten 100 off 58 balls. Farhan says that he is that player who has played domestic matches regularly for the last 4 years and tries not to miss any of those matches. Feels that is why he is able to perform for the national team as well. Mentions that the wicket wasn't easy to start on and had a chat with Saim Ayub regarding that and was confident that if he took some time, he could make a big score. Reckons that the partnership between him and Shadab was crucial and he knew that Shadab could go big whenever he wanted but wanted to focus on building a stand first.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Trial by spin - Pakistan pushed Namibia on the back foot and it was always going to be a herculean task for them to face the spin barrage. Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, cleverly dished out the variations and trapped the batters at will. And the fact that Usman Tariq, the mystery spinner's introduction was delayed, just like it was against India. But the moment he was introduced, his cunning variations were too hot to handle for the batters as he broke the back of the Namibian middle and lower order.

Never truly in the chase - With a Mount Everest to climb, Namibia needed a positive start, and they did get one through Steenkamp and Frylinck. A bit of generosity from Pakistan came through a dropped catch as well, but Namibia couldn't capitalise on the start they got. Pakistan jolted the Namibians with quick wickets, reducing them from 32/0 to 49/4, with skipper Gerhard Erasmus gone as well.

One man army - Sahibzada Farhan pulled off a hero move for his team on the big day. Despite cramping up and needing some medical attention, he kept going like a trooper. At one point, he was on 30 off 27, but then just clicked into overdrive. From there, he went on a rampage to smash his maiden T20I century. That also made him only the second Pakistani to hit a T20 World Cup ton after Ahmed Shehzad back in 2014. Saim Ayub fell early, but the Farhan-Salman Ali Agha duo set Pakistan on the right track with a brisk 67-run partnership in that middle phase. Then Shadab joined the party and added some solid fireworks of his own. Namibia couldn't stop the run flow as only Jack Brassell and Gerhard Erasmus were amongst the wickets, while the others were smashed to all parts of the ground.

Dominance personified - After being shellshocked by the Indians, the Men in Green have totally outplayed, outbowled and outbatted the Namibians at the SSC. And with this commanding win, PAKISTAN HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE SUPER EIGHTS. They become the final team to seal the Super Eight lineup. Joy lights up the Pakistani camp as the camera pans to the dugout, where head coach Mike Hesson is all smiles. This is also Pakistan's BIGGEST win by runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cups. Unfortunately for Namibia, being bundled out for 97 chasing 200 says it all in a day to forget. They just couldn’t battle Pakistan’s spin attack and were completely swallowed up without much resistance. Also, with this USA ARE OFFICIALLY ELIMIATED from this World Cup as Pakistan climb to the second spot in Group A.

17.3: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! That's it, it's all over for Namibia and Pakistan are officially through to the Super 8s, the final team to do so. Usman Tariq bowls this one a bit flatter and bowls it short and wide. Willem Myburgh goes for the cut but there's a bit of an extra bounce. He ends up edging it behind, where Usman Khan takes another sharp catch to his right. It is reviewed but UltraEdge confirms the thick edge and PAKISTAN WIN BY 102 RUNS.

Is Willem caught behind? The on-field decision is OUT, and he goes upstairs for a review. UltraEdge shows a faint spike when the ball is next to the bat. Usman Tariq finishes off with career-best T20I figures of 4/16, including a maiden in 3.3 overs. 

17.2: Usman Tariq to Jack Brassell, Flatter delivery on off and middle, punched down to long on for a single.

Pakistan are almost there. Jack Brassell is the last man in for Namibia.

17.1: Usman Tariq to Bernard Scholtz, OUT! TIMBER! Another wrong'un from Usman Tariq and he has three wickets to his name, just like Shadab Khan. Tariq brings out the googly, landing it slightly full and around off. Bernard Scholtz leans ahead to drive on the off side but is beaten in the flight. The ball turns back in to clatter into the middle stump and Pakistan are now just on wicket away from the win.

16.6: Shadab Khan to Willem Myburgh, Flighted up on off, Willem Myburgh manages to keep it out.

16.5: Shadab Khan to Willem Myburgh, Fuller on middle, smothered back to the bowler.

16.4: Shadab Khan to Willem Myburgh, Oh, how has that missed the stumps? A big googly from Shadab, lands it full and on off. The ball pitches and turns back in sharply, beating the attempted front-foot block from Myburgh. However, it bounces over middle and leg.

16.3: Shadab Khan to Bernard Scholtz, Flatter, on middle, nudged away to mid-wicket for a single.

Pakistan are just 2 wickets away from qualifying for the Super 8s. Bernard Scholtz is in at number 10.

16.2: Shadab Khan to Zane Green, OUT! CAUGHT! Looked like a decent hit from Zane Green but that's a terrific catch in the deep from Saim Ayub. Shadab Khan tosses the ball up, full on middle and leg. Green sits down to sweep and batters it flat over backward square leg. Saim runs in from the deep and puts in a lunging dive to snaffle it with both hands. Difficult to pick it under the lights and the replays confirm that it is a fair catch. Namibia are now 8 down.

Is that a clean catch? The umpires have sent it upstairs for a review to check the legality of the catch. Saim dived forward in the outfield to scoop the ball before the grass. But are his fingers completely under the ball? The third umpire, Kumar Dharmasena, deems it a clean catch after checking a couple of angles. A superb catch by Saim Ayub as OUT loads on the giant screen.

16.1: Shadab Khan to Willem Myburgh, Flatter around middle, tapped across to mid-wicket for a single.

15.6: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, Would you believe it? A third triple of the over, 11 coming off it in total. On middle and leg, tucked away wide to the left of Babar Azam at short fine leg. Faheem Ashraf from deep square leg hurries to his right and manages to put in a slide and just keep the ball in play. Easy three this time for the batters.

15.5: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, Dragged length around off, goes away, Myburgh taps it in front of point.

15.4: Usman Tariq to Zane Green, Three runs more. Flighted up around middle and leg, Zane Green lunges across and paddles it down to fine leg. Mohammad Nawaz makes a lot of ground to his left in the deep and puts in a dive to save the boundary as the batters come back for the third run.

15.3: Usman Tariq to Zane Green, Full and on the pads, nudged away through the square leg region for a couple of runs.

15.2: Usman Tariq to Zane Green, Around the wicket to the left-hander, looped up very full and angled into the pads. Green looks to defend in front but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the front pad. Half a shout for LBW and nothing more.

15.1: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, Excellent running. A googly on the pads, Willem Myburgh nurdles it away past Babar Azam at leg gully and the ball trickles away. Babar gives chase and stops the boundary, but the batters manage to pick up three runs.

14.6: Mohammad Nawaz to Zane Green, Pushed across the batter, full and outside off, Zane Green strides ahead to block, but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls to the leg side.

14.5: Mohammad Nawaz to Willem Myburgh, Full, outside off, drilled down and wide of long off for a single.

14.4: Mohammad Nawaz to Willem Myburgh, Short ball around middle, 83.2 kph. Willem backs away and chops it off the inside edge to backward point. Nawaz and the keeper appeal for LBW, but the umpire denies. After a lot of pondering, Pakistan go for a review. But the first replay itself shows that it hit the bat first. They lose the review. Mark Howard, on air, jokingly says that never listen to the bowler. To which Waqar Younis laughs it off.

14.3: Mohammad Nawaz to Willem Myburgh, Nice and full, on off, pushed gently back to the bowler.

14.2: Mohammad Nawaz to Zane Green, Tries to get a bit funky out there. A tad shorter in length, spins in with a bit of bounce. Zane Green switches the stance to reverse sweep, but gets a bit of top edge as the ball flies over short third for a single.

14.1: Mohammad Nawaz to Zane Green, Tries to flick the full ball to the leg side, but the ball pops up from the pitch, beats the bat and pings the front pad.

13.6: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, A full ball outside off, Willem strides in to drive but misses. The keeper collects the ball to his right and flicks the bails, but Myburgh’s back foot is safely coasted inside the crease.

13.5: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, A short delivery on the pads, 79.9 kph. Willem gets forward, tries to defend it, but misses and it hits a bit high on the back thigh pad.

13.4: Usman Tariq to Willem Myburgh, A carrom ball, full and on middle, flicked out of the fingers. Spins prodigiously away from the batter. Willem Myburgh is drawn forward to block, but gets beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Usman Tariq is putting on a show and he's just too hot to handle for the Namibian batters. Willem Myburgh walks out to bat at number 9.

13.3: Usman Tariq to Ruben Trumpelmann, OUT! BOWLED! Totally outfoxed and Usman has his second wicket. Another googly, flighted above the eyeline of the batter. Full and around off, spins back in very sharply. Ruben Trumpelmann gets half forward to push it away, but is completely outplayed by the variation as the ball sneaks past his inside edge and crashes back onto the stumps. Looking at the replays, it is a bit different than a regular googly and Waqar Younis on air describes it as a carrom ball bowled in the form of a googly.

13.2: Usman Tariq to Ruben Trumpelmann, A lengthy appeal for LBW, but not given. Dishes out a googly, full and on the leg stump line. Ruben Trumpelmann is sucked onto the front foot, tries to block, but the ball spins back in sharply, beats the inside edge and thuds the front pad before rolling away. Pakistan do not review it as it is possibly going down leg.

DRINKS! Namibia are going down in a hurry now. They went from 32/0 to 49/4 and now they have lost a couple of quick wickets again, derailing any sort of progress. The mantra for Pakistan seems to be 'spin to win' right now and they are doing a fine job of consolidating a place in the Super 8s. With every passing over, it seems like USA's campaign is coming to an end and the focus will now be on whether Namibia can get to a decent total or not as they look to finish their campaign on a positive note. With that said, Ruben Trumpelmann walks out to bat now.

13.1: Usman Tariq to JJ Smit, OUT! CAUGHT! Tariq strikes now. He holds the pause, sees the batter shuffle wide outside the off stump and follows the batter. Pitched on a length, outside off, cramping the batter for room as JJ Smit tries to drag it leg side with a slog sweep. Ends up badly mistiming it off the top edge. The ball spoons up over mid-wicket and Shadab Khan tracks back a few yards, keeps his eyes locked on the ball and takes a fine running catch. Namibia are 81/6.

12.6: Shadab Khan to JJ Smit, A googly, on a length, on middle, JJ Smit tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

12.5: Shadab Khan to Zane Green, Short, and slower on leg, Zane pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

12.4: Shadab Khan to Zane Green, Short, on off, Green defends in front.

End of a steady 5th wicket stand, and a new batter walks out to bat now. It is Zane Green at number 7 for Namibia.

12.3: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, OUT! STUMPED! Clever bowling from Shadab as he gets his second wicket. A perfect leg spinner wicket. A flighted, full delivery outside off, a teasing leg break that drifts away. Alexander steps out, looking to launch it downtown, but misses connecting as he loses his shape, trying to hit it too hard. Usman reacts instantly, collecting to his right and whipping the bails off in a flash. Alexander is caught short and Namibia are 79/5, chasing 200.

12.2: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, Very slow through the air, fuller and on the leg stump. Alexander Volschenk gets on the front foot and flicks it to the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. Usman Khan himself rushes across to chase the ball with a slide. Tries to throw, but cannot release the ball properly off his right hand as he slips. 

12.1: Shadab Khan to JJ Smit, Sharp leg break, fractionally full, 82.2 kph, on middle, JJ Smit chips it through mid on for a single.

11.6: Usman Tariq to Alexander Volschenk, JAFFA! A deceptive carrom ball, on a fuller length, on off. It lands and spins sharply across the bat's face with extra bounce and beats Alexander's attempted front foot block.

11.5: Usman Tariq to JJ Smit, A touch short, spinning in from outside off, JJ Smit presses back and punches it down to long off for a single.

11.4: Usman Tariq to Alexander Volschenk, Offers more flight, full and on middle, Alexander Volschenk advances down the track and drills it through wide mid on for a single.

11.3: Usman Tariq to JJ Smit, There comes the dramatic pause again, an off break on a fuller length, on off. JJ flicks it to the leg side, in front of square, for one more.

11.2: Usman Tariq to Alexander Volschenk, Full and on middle, Alexander Volschenk shimmies down the track and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.1: Usman Tariq to Alexander Volschenk, Pauses for a bit, bowls full and around off, Alexander Volschenk leans on and dabs it to backward point.

Time for Usman Tariq? Yes, finally, the mystery spinner makes an appearance, replacing Shadab Khan in the attack.

10.6: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, An in-drifter, full and on leg, Alexander Volschenk gets across and dinks it through mid-wicket for an easy single.

10.5: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, Nice and full, on the stumps, Volschenk blocks.

10.4: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, SIX! KABOOM! Tosses it up, full and on leg, Alexander Volschenk brings his long levers into play and pumps it down the ground. The ball teases Babar Azam at long on but sails over the ropes for a six.

10.3: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, Short, on off, Alexander Volschenk hangs deep in the crease and cuts it to backward point.

10.3: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, WIDE! Far outside off, beyond the guideline, Alexander leaves.

10.2: Mohammad Nawaz to JJ Smit, Nicely looped up, on middle, JJ Smit takes it on the full and bunts it down to long on for a single.

10.1: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, A touch short, on middle and leg, Alexander Volschenk gets across and nudges it between mid-wicket and square leg for a single.

Halfway reached. Namibia are crawling at 62/4 and need 138 runs from 60 balls. Still, no Usman Tariq. Mohammad Nawaz (2-0-10-1) to continue.

9.6: Shadab Khan to JJ Smit, On the shorter side and wide outside off, Smit reaches for it and stabs the ball down to backward point. Namibia are 62/4 after the first 10 overs.

9.5: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, Flatter one outside off, punched away square on the off side for a single by Volschenk.

9.5: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, WIDE! That's prodigious turn. On a fullish length and outside off, Volschenk steps out of the crease but sees the ball turnig away a mile and taps his bat back in the crease. Called a wide as well.

9.4: Shadab Khan to JJ Smit, Fuller one down leg, nudged away off the pads behind square leg for just a single.

9.3: Shadab Khan to JJ Smit, Fracionally short, outside off, patted down off the back foot to the right of point.

9.2: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, Tossed up on leg stump, driven down to long on for a run.

9.1: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, Almost another unnecessary run out for Namibia. Tossed up on off, turning away, Volschenk dabs it to backward point and JJ Smit at the other end wanders down the pitch before scampering back in time.

8.6: Mohammad Nawaz to JJ Smit, Floated, full and on off, eased towards cover-point.

8.5: Mohammad Nawaz to JJ Smit, Dragged length outside off, Smit backs away and pokes the ball through the gap at covers for a couple of runs.

8.4: Mohammad Nawaz to JJ Smit, Drifted into the stumps, JJ Smit blocks it down the pitch.

8.3: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, Slightly shorter around off, dabbed into the off side for a single.

8.2: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, A bit of cat and mouse between the batter and the bowler. Volschenk premeditates and shuffles across. Nawaz sees it and slows it up, turning it away from outside off. Volschenk tries to reverse ramp but misses and the ball goes to Salman Agha at first slip.

8.1: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, FOUR! Solid shot! Flat and full, on off and middle, Volschenk takes the front leg out and pummels it back past the bowler for a boundary. Mohammad Nawaz doesn't even attempt the catch because that was hit so hard.

7.6: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, Full and on the pads, clipped away past Usman Tariq at mid-wicket for a single. Looked like a misfield from Tariq.

7.5: Shadab Khan to Alexander Volschenk, A big appeal for LBW, turned down. Probably hitting outside the line. Shadab brings out the googly, tossing it up on a good length and bowling it just outside off. Alexander Volschenk doesn't read it and tries to block but the ball darts back in and hits the front pad. No review is taken.

7.4: Shadab Khan to JJ Smit, Full and straight, driven down to long on for a single. The 50 is now up for Namibia.

It is spiralling downward for Namibia with their best batter gone now. Out goes skipper Erasmus, and in walks JJ Smit at number 6.

7.3: Shadab Khan to Gerhard Erasmus, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! That's sharp work behind the stumps from Usman Khan. Just a regulation leg break from Shadab Khan, a few inches shorter than being full and just outside off. Gerhard Erasmus waits back to dab it fine but ends up deflecting it behind. Usman moves swiftly to his right and pouches it nicely. 32/0 has now become 49/4 for Namibia.

7.2: Shadab Khan to Gerhard Erasmus, On middle and leg, tucked away to the left of deep mid-wicket and the batters race back for the second run.

7.1: Shadab Khan to Gerhard Erasmus, FOUR! Too short and punished right away. Poor start from Shadab, bowling it very short and outside off. Gerhard Erasmus stays back and scythes it away between backward point and short third for a boundary.

6.6: Mohammad Nawaz to Alexander Volschenk, Flat and full on middle, defended down the line by Alexander Volschenk.

So three quick wickets for Pakistan. 32/0 becomes 43/3 for Namibia. Alexander Volschenk walks in at number 5.

6.5: Mohammad Nawaz to Louren Steenkamp, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Namibia are in deep trouble right now. Tossed up, on a length and aroud middle. This one grips a bit and turns away. Louren Steenkamp goes deep in the crease and looks to slog across the line and against the turn, instead of looking to hit down the ground. Steenkamp completely miscues it up in the air and the ball comes down to the right of the bowler. However, the keeper, Usman Khan, calls for it early and pouches it safely as well. 

6.4: Mohammad Nawaz to Louren Steenkamp, Dragged length over middle, Steenkamp rocks back and punches it down to the right of the bowler.

6.3: Mohammad Nawaz to Gerhard Erasmus, Tossed up on middle, Erasmus gets on the front foot and smothers it down to long on for one.

6.3: Mohammad Nawaz to Gerhard Erasmus, WIDE! Slightly round-arm, lobbed up down the leg side. Erasmus looks to tuck it fine but misses.

6.2: Mohammad Nawaz to Louren Steenkamp, Slower and shorter, turning away from outside off. Steenkamp taps it through the cover region for a single.

6.1: Mohammad Nawaz to Louren Steenkamp, Flighted up, on a nagging length and around off. Steenkamp hangs back and chops it down to point.

A profitable Powerplay for Pakistan. Namibia are 40/2. At the same stage, Pakistan were 47/1. Mohammad Nawaz is introduced into the attack. He replaces Salman Mirza.

5.6: Saim Ayub to Gerhard Erasmus, A dot to end the Powerplay and Namibia are 40/2. Nice and full again, just outside off, Gerhard Erasmus eases it towards cover. 160 more needed off 84 balls.

5.5: Saim Ayub to Gerhard Erasmus, Slower through the air again, on off, not all that full. Erasmus lunges to defend.

5.4: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, Dragged length, bowled onto the pads, Steenkamp fails to flick it away. The ball goes off the pads and towards backward square leg for a leg bye.

5.3: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, Flighted ball, bowled full and outside off, Steenkamp drives it along the turf to covers.

DRINKS BREAK. A couple of quick wickets have brought Pakistan right on top of the game. They didn't have a good start as they dropped an early catch, and served a few looseners as well, but have recovered well. There have been flashes of intent from Namibia, but they are pushed for a massive reconstruction job now as Gerhard Erasmus arrives at the crease at number 4. It is on the Namibian captain to steady the ship and take the game as deep as possible with a stable partnership in this middle phase.

5.2: Saim Ayub to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, OUT! JAN NICOLE LOFTIE-EATON IS RUN OUT! Seemed like a well-judged single to begin with but unfortunately for Namibia, it is a run out and they didn't need that one bit. Loftie-Eaton backs away early and Saim Ayub follows him with a flatter delivery from around the stumps. Loftie-Eaton taps it straight to extra cover and sets off for the single. Salman Agha picks it up and throws it to the bowler. Saim whips off the bails and the smart replay confirms that the batter is short of his crease. Namibia are now 39/2.

5.1: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, Floated up around middle and leg, Louren Steenkamp strokes it down to long off for a single.

4.6: Salman Mirza to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, The nip-backer on a good length, on top of off, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton stays back and tries to pierce the point gap, but hits it straight to the fielder. Lets out a grunt in frustration for not getting it through.

4.5: Salman Mirza to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, FOUR! Good, positive intent! Mirza serves it on a fuller length, on the off stump line. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton walks out of the crease, gets under the ball and lofts it inside out over the cover fielder for a boundary.

4.4: Salman Mirza to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, BEAUTY! Angles in and then seams away, on a good length, around off. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton does not move his feet at all, tries to block away from the body and the ball zips past his outside edge.

4.3: Salman Mirza to Louren Steenkamp, Banged short, on the leg stump. Louren duck-pulls it wide of square leg for a single.

4.2: Salman Mirza to Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Slants in from middle, full in length, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton nudges it to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Salman Mirza breaks the brewing stand and the new batter walks out. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton walks in at number 3.

4.1: Salman Mirza to Jan Frylinck, OUT! BOWLED! A bit of a relief in the Pakistan camp as Mirza provides the first breakthrough. He goes at pace, lands it full and attacks the stumps. Jan Frylinck shuffles to the leg side by exposing the stumps, attempts to carve it through the off side, but the ball nips and skids back in, beats the bat, and crashes into the stumps behind. A corker of a delivery from Mirza. Namibia are 32/1, chasing 200.

Salman Mirza (1-0-5-0) switches ends, replacing Faheem Ashraf.

3.6: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, FOUR! Finds the gap! Short and wide, Louren Steenkamp frees his arms on the back foot and cuts it behind backward point for a cracking boundary.

3.5: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, BEATEN! Peach of a delivery by Ayub. Dishes out one more carrom ball, on a fractionally fuller length, outside off. It grips, spins, and bounces away from the batter. Louren Steenkamp is sucked onto the front foot, tries to push it away inside out, but the ball spins past the face of the bat. Usman Khan collects the ball to his right and whips the bails off in a flash, but Steenkamp drags his back leg inside in time.

3.4: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, FOUR! Wonderful batting! Another carrom ball, but sliding down leg on a fuller length. Louren Steenkamp gets across, sits down and paddle sweeps it using his wrists and gets a one-bounce boundary to long leg.

3.3: Saim Ayub to Louren Steenkamp, The carrom ball now at just 80 kph, full and on off, Louren Steenkamp presses in front and eases it to the point region.

3.2: Saim Ayub to Jan Frylinck, At 84.2 kph, this is dragged back and it turns away from middle. Frylinck backs away and slashes it to cover for a single.

3.1: Saim Ayub to Jan Frylinck, From around the stump. Saim bowls a full ball, 83.3 kph, on middle, Jan Frylinck leans on and blocks it watchfully.

Time for some spin as Saim Ayub has now been tossed the ball, replacing Salman Mirza.

2.6: Faheem Ashraf to Jan Frylinck, Pitched outside leg, on a good length, Jan Frylinck presses back and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 8 runs from the over.

2.5: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, Full and in front of the sticks, Steenkamp stays leg side and eases it in the cover-point region for a quick single.

2.4: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, FOUR! A shot of authority! Hard length, on off, angling in. Louren Steenkamp clears his front leg, plays it with a straight bat and on the up. Clobbers it powerfully over mid on for a boundary.

2.3: Faheem Ashraf to Jan Frylinck, On a good length, angling from leg to off, Jan Frylinck presses back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Sahibzada Farhan is back out in the field, which is good news for Pakistan as the knee isn't as big a concern as expected.

2.2: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, Back of a length, outside off, Louren Steenkamp gets on the toes and punches it between cover and backward point for a run.

2.1: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, Much fuller, on middle, Louren heaves it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

1.6: Salman Mirza to Jan Frylinck, FOUR! Excellent placement and timing! On a back of a length, just outside off, Jan Frylinck lets the ball arrive, stays put, opens the bat face and guides it to the left of short third for a boundary.

1.6: Salman Mirza to Jan Frylinck, WIDE! Shapes away beyond the tramline, at 137.3 kph, outside off, Jan Frylinck tries to drive it away, but fails to connect.

1.5: Salman Mirza to Jan Frylinck, Nips back in and stays a bit low on the bounce, on a length, on middle and leg. Jan Frylinck is rushed on the back foot, tries to pull, but the ball beats the inside edge and pings on the thigh pad.

Also, Shaheen Afridi is on the field as a replacement fielder, probably on for Sahibzada Farhan, who might be off the field for a knee injury. Remember, you cannot go off the field for cramps under the current laws of cricket.

1.4: Salman Mirza to Jan Frylinck, Full and around off, Jan Frylinck gets on the front foot and carves it to short cover.

1.3: Salman Mirza to Jan Frylinck, On a back of a length, on top of middle, Jan Frylinck covers the line, gets a bit squared up and blocks it down the pitch.

1.2: Salman Mirza to Louren Steenkamp, Swings in a touch, full in length, Louren Steenkamp misses the flick and the ball deflects to the leg side for a leg bye.

1.1: Salman Mirza to Louren Steenkamp, Full and on middle and off, Louren Steenkamp pushes it to cover.

The two sides of Pakistan's fielding on show in that first over. A brilliant effort from Salman Mirza followed by a pretty ordinary one from Mohammad Nawaz. It will be Mirza now to share the new ball alongside Faheem Ashraf.

0.6: Faheem Ashraf to Jan Frylinck, IN THE AIR... DROPPED! Nawaz has put down an absolute dolly. A short ball just outside off, cross seam. Jan Frylinck goes on the back foot and pulls it off the toe-end. Nawaz dives to his right from deep square leg, gets both hands down and lets it slip. That was a routine chance and the one to be taken. They get a couple of runs.

0.5: Faheem Ashraf to Jan Frylinck, A bit short and angling away from the left-hander, outside off, Frylinck drags the bat inside the line and lets it go.

0.4: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, Short in length, nipping back into the batter. Louren is taken aback by the extra bit of bounce, tries to pull but the ball hits his right shoulder and flies flat to the left of short third. Salman Mirza flings himself to that direction, tries to take it airborne, but shells it in the end. They get a leg bye. Regardless, a fantastic effort by Mirza.

0.3: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, SIX! Off the mark in some style! Very ordinary ball, half volley on middle, a slower one. Louren Steenkamp gets under the ball and pumps it straight as an arrow, down the ground for a massive six.

0.2: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, Back of a length, in the channel on off. Louren plays off the back foot and punches it to cover.

0.1: Faheem Ashraf to Louren Steenkamp, On the money! Full and outside off, Louren Steenkamp gets on the front foot and drives it, but straight to cover.

We are back for the run chase. There is a bit of cloud cover back hovering over the stadium and the artificial lights are starting to take effect. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of Pakistan. It will be the duo of Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp to open the innings for Namibia. Faheem Ashraf will take the new ball and Wasim Akram on air mentions that this will be his first over of the competition. Let's play...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Looking ahead - Namibia did well to keep Pakistan in check for the most part, but right at the back end, they lost their grip. Chasing 200 will be a stiff challenge. Their batting has been the weaker of the two suits in this tournament, and at this venue, where Pakistan's spinners have ruled the roost, the task ahead looks even more daunting. Remember, if Pakistan win, they will be through to the Super 8s, while a defeat for them will keep the hopes of the USA and the Netherlands alive. We will be back shortly for the chase.

Farhan's acceleration turned the tide - After losing his opening partner, Farhan stitched together a crucial stand with Salman Agha. Though the pair began cautiously, their partnership picked up pace with a 22-run over proving to be the catalyst. Namibia struck back with a couple of quick wickets, and that made Farhan's role even more vital heading into the death overs. Sahibzada rose to the occasion, with him racing from 50 to 100 in 20 balls to bring up his maiden T20I ton. Shadab Khan also played his part in providing the desired finish.

Early nerves for Pakistan - After opting to bat first, it was a tentative start from Pakistan, perhaps with the pressure of qualification weighing on them, or memories of losing 4 wickets in the Powerplay against India still fresh. Sahibzada Farhan swung like a rusty gate early on, and the boundaries that came were more streaky than convincing.

Late surge powers Pakistan to 199 - Sahibzada Farhan walks off to a standing ovation. Pakistan end up with 199 on the board. Wheels came off towards the end for Namibia as they conceded 59 runs in the last 4 overs.

19.6: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, A dot to end the innings, and they will not get to 200! Gerhard Erasmus nails the wide yorker, outside off, just inside the tramline. Sahibzada Farhan leaves it alone, thinking it is a wide, but the umpire signals nothing. Pakistan finish on 199/3!

19.5: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Quicker and shorter, on middle, Shadab Khan punches it to long on for one. Can Pakistan get to 200?

19.4: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, SIX! Shadab Khan goes big again! This is bowled with a round-arm action, on a length, on middle. Shadab drops on a knee and nails the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a six.

19.3: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, SIX! Straight as an arrow! Tossed up, full and on off, in the slot. Shadab Khan gets his front leg out of the way and clubs it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

19.3: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, WIDE! Fires this one full but down the leg side, Shadab Khan fails to paddle it away. Wided.

19.2: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, HUNDRED FOR FARHAN! A maiden T20I century, and this has been an amazing knock under pressure. Floated, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan clips it through mid-wicket for a run. He punches the air straightaway in celebration. He becomes only the second Pakistani to score a ton in Men's T20 World Cups after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014.

19.1: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Gerhard Erasmus bowls with a round-arm action, drops it short and around off, Shadab Khan punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Time for the final over. A fresh pair of gloves for Sahibzada Farhan. Gerhard Erasmus has taken it upon himself to close out the innings. 2-0-9-1 so far for Namibia's skipper.

18.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Excellent over from Ruben Trumpelmann! Just 6 runs off it! Fuller and outside off. Shadab Khan lofts it wide of long off for one more. He wants the second, but Farhan sends him back.

18.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, WIDE! Just misses the wide yorker this time, spilling it outside the tramline. Shadab Khan lets it go. Called a wide.

18.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Right in the blockhole, around off, Sahibzada Farhan jams it out to long off for one. Can Ruben Trumpelmann finish well here?

18.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Overpitched and near the wide tramline, on off. Shadab Khan reaches out and slices it to sweeper cover for a run.

18.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Ruben Trumpelmann sticks to the fuller length and serves this well outside off. Shadab Khan shuffles across early to scoop it but plays all over it.

18.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Full again and outside off, Shadab Khan shapes up for the sweep again but adjusts and drives it wide of long off for a brace.

18.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, A good wide yorker, outside off, Shadab Khan gets down and across to swipe it away but misses. He has a look at the umpire but gets nothing.

37 runs off the last 2 overs. Two more overs left in the innings. Ruben Trumpelmann (3-0-30-0) will bowl the 19th over.

17.6: Jack Brassell to Shadab Khan, Back of a length and around off, Shadab Khan makes room and carves it to deep point for one. 20 runs off the over. 200 is on for Pakistan now.

17.5: Jack Brassell to Shadab Khan, SIX! Shadab Khan joins the party bow! Jack Brassell tries the slower bouncer, on middle, but this is never going to trouble the batter. Shadab picks it up early and just helps it on its way over the fine leg fence for half a dozen more.

17.4: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Pitched up and on off, Sahibzada Farhan drills it towards long off for a single.

17.3: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, MISFIELD AND FOUR! Short of a length and outside off, Sahibzada Farhan cuts it away hard towards point. Willem Myburgh dives to his right but over the ball and lets it through for a boundary. The wheels are coming off now for Namibia. Also, the 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

17.2: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! Sahibzada Farhan moves into the 90s now! Jack Brassell errs in his line and serves this full and down the leg side. Farhan gets inside the line of it and whips it over the deep fine leg fence for a flat six.

17.1: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Hard length and on middle, angling in, Sahibzada Farhan nudges it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

16.6: JJ Smit to Shadab Khan, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! JJ Smit goes short again and outside off. Shadab Khan sees the width and slashes hard at it. Gets an outside edge that flies over short third and to the fence behind for four more runs. 17 runs off the over.

16.5: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.4: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! The runs are starting to flow now! Too full from Smit, on off, right in the slot. Sahibzada Farhan gets underneath it and smacks it past the bowler and between long on and long off for a boundary. Farhan moves to 84, this is now his highest score in T20Is.

A slight hold-up as the fourth umpire has made his way out with the box of balls. Looks like the ball landed on a hard surface beyond the boundary ropes, and that has had an impact on its condition. We are all good to go now.

16.3: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! BOOM! Sahibzada Farhan is batting on a different planet. JJ Smit lands this back of a length and around off, but this one sits up nicely for the batter. Farhan climbs onto it and muscles it over the bowler's head for half a dozen more.

16.2: JJ Smit to Shadab Khan, Fuller delivery and around off, Shadab Khan goes down and swipes it to deep square leg for a single.

16.1: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Just short! JJ Smit sees the batter move across, lands this short of a length and outside off. Sahibzada Farhan slaps it but does not get power on the shot. It flies towards extra cover, where the fielder dives to his front but the ball drops just in front of him. They cross.

JJ Smit returns to the attack. 2-0-11-0 so far for the left-arm medium pacer.

15.6: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Flighted, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan eases it to long off for one. Bernard Scholtz finishes his spell wicketless. His figures read 4-0-33-0.

15.5: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Powered away! Tossed up, full and on off. Sahibzada Farhan extends his arms to get under it and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

15.4: Bernard Scholtz to Shadab Khan, Quicker delivery, shortish and on middle, keeps low, Shadab Khan backs away and punches it through covers for one.

15.3: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Flatter, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan drives it to long off for another run.

15.2: Bernard Scholtz to Shadab Khan, Goes short again, on leg, Shadab Khan moves around in his crease and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

15.1: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Shorter in length and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan rocks back and pulls it hard but straight to deep mid-wicket for a single.

14.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, On a back of a length, around off, Farhan punches it to long off and keeps the strike with a single. 10 runs off the over.

14.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! To the other side of the mid off fielder this time. Ruben Trumpelmann bangs it in short, pushed across the batter again. Farhan gets on his toes and reaches out. He slaps it between cover and mid off and picks up another boundary.

14.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Crunched! Off-cutter, on a length, around off. Sahibzada gets the front leg out of the way and smacks it down the ground. Shadab Khan is in the firing line but he does well to duck quickly and the mid off fielder stands no chance.

14.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Across off, on a back of a length, Khan punches it through covers and crosses over.

14.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Shadab Khan gives the charge but misses. Fuller and outside off, Shadab dances down the track and swings to go big on the off side but is beaten as the ball leaves him with the angle.

14.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Shadab Khan, Goes past the bat! Effort behind the ball by Ruben Trumpelmann, on a back of a length, around the off stump. Shadab walks across the stumps and hangs his bat out to cover the line but is beaten on the inside edge.

13.6: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Fuller and on off, knocked to long off for a single.

13.5: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Shorter and on middle, Shadab stays back and nudges it in front of deep square leg. He comes charging back for the second run and gets home before the throw comes in.

13.4: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Very full, on off, Shadab digs it out on the off side.

13.3: Gerhard Erasmus to Shadab Khan, Nicely bowled! This is slower through the air, on a nagging length, on middle. Shadab looks to deal with it from the crease but is beaten by the turn and gets hit high on the pads.

Two wickets in two consecutive overs for Namibia. With that, the umpires have called in for DRINKS as well. The last two overs have shifted a bit of momentum again, and now the role of Sahibzada Farhan becomes even more important. He is the set batter and a lot depends on him if Pakistan want to get to a big total here. Namibia will want to build on the last couple of overs and pull things back even more as they know all the pressure in this game is on their opponents. Also, Shadab Khan is the next man in.

13.2: Gerhard Erasmus to Khawaja Nafay, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! A brief stay for Khawaja Nafay. Full and attacking the stumps, bowled from a yard behind the crease. Nafay gets down on a knee and goes hard on the slog sweep. He loses his shape in the process and a top edge is found. It is skied towards the mid on region. Erasmus turns around and goes after it. Keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and snaffles it safely. A couple of quick wickets for Namibia.

13.1: Gerhard Erasmus to Khawaja Nafay, Pushed through, short and outside off, Nafay has a flash at it but misses.

12.6: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Angled in, on a back of a length, on middle. Sahibzada brings his wrists into play and turns it in between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

12.5: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Smashed! Too short and wide on off, asking to be hit. Farhan obliges as he gets on his toes and thumps it between cover and mid off for a four.

12.4: Jack Brassell to Khawaja Nafay, On off, on the shorter side, pulled in front of square on the leg side for a single.

12.3: Jack Brassell to Khawaja Nafay, Into the deck, over middle, Nafay taps it down the strip.

12.2: Jack Brassell to Khawaja Nafay, FOUR! Khawaja Nafay is up and running! On a hard length, on off, Nafay stands tall on his toes and steers it down with an open bat face to the left of backward point for a four to get going.

The 67-run partnership has been broken. No Babar Azam, it is Khawaja Nafay who comes out to the middle now.

12.1: Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal. Jack Brassell strikes on his return to the attack. Salman Agha absolutely berates himself as he trudges off. Brassell bowls it on a length, outside off, Agha walks across the stumps and spots mid off being inside the circle. He looks to go over mid off with a straight bat and a high elbow but fails to get any elevation. Spoons it flat and straight to mid off, where Gerhard Erasmus gobbles it up.

Jack Brassell is back on.

11.6: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Shorter and flatter, on middle, Agha hangs back and nudges it to wide long on for a run. A good over for Pakistan, 14 runs off it.

11.5: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, SIX! Good use of the feet! Floated up, on middle, Salman jumps out of the crease and gets to the pitch of the ball. He swings through the line and tonks it to the left of long on for a six.

11.4: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, FOUR! 100 is up for Pakistan! On a length, on middle, Salman looks to play the fine sweep and gets down on a knee. He fails to roll his wrists over the ball and it flies off a top edge over the keeper for a four.

11.3: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Short and on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for one.

11.2: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, On a nagging length, on middle, Agha sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

11.1: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, FIFTY FOR FARHAN! Not the most fluent knocks you will ever see but runs are runs. He needs to kick on if Pakistan are to post in excess of 180. Short and around middle and leg, Farhan tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single. Second half-century of the World Cup for Farhan.

10.6: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Smit pushes it wide, on a shortish length, Sahibzada reaches out and slaps it wide of extra cover. He is keen for the second run and takes a couple of steps forward before being sent back. A wise call from Agha as the fielder in the deep was quick to get to the ball.

10.5: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Missed out! A bit too wide, on a short of a length, Farhan reaches out and taps the ball on its head but fails to get it wide enough of the man at backward point. It is cut off with a dive.

10.4: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Smit goes into the deck and outside off, Farhan waits on the slower ball on the back foot and drags the pull to the right of long on for a couple of runs.

10.3: JJ Smit to Salman Agha, On a length, angled away, Agha punches it to long off. With this single, the 50-run stand comes up in 32 balls.

10.2: JJ Smit to Salman Agha, Across off, on a back of a length, Agha goes hard on the cut. Ends up chopping it in front of point.

10.1: JJ Smit to Salman Agha, FOUR! Off the top edge! On a length, on middle and leg. Agha crouches and has a swipe across the line. This is off-cutter and it grips in the surface. The ball flies off a top edge over the keeper for a four.

Will Willem Myburgh continue? The answer is no. JJ Smit replaces him. 1-0-3-0 so far for Smit.

9.6: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Follows the batter, serves the arm ball angling into the leg side. Salman Agha fails to flick it away as the ball lobs up off his pads towards backward point. A leg bye taken.

9.5: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Dragged back and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan moves back and swats it down to long on for one.

9.4: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, skids through. Sahibzada Farhan shapes up for the pull but adjusts and clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

9.3: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Shorter in length once more, on off, Salman Agha punches it through cover-point for another run.

9.3: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, WIDE! Quicker and shorter but down the leg side, Salman Agha tries to swipe it away but misses. Called a wide.

9.2: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Short again and around off, Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and slaps it to long off for a run.

9.1: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Short and angling into leg, Salman Agha nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Sahibzada Farhan has asked for some medical attention. Did he tweak something in his right leg, or is it just cramps? The physio is applying the magic spray on Farhan's right knee. The magic spray has done its job and Sahibzada is ready to resume.

8.6: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Oh..what happened there? Willem Myburgh fires this one full and outside off. Sahibzada Farhan tries to reach out but bunts it out off the bottom edge onto the pitch. He looks in a bit of discomfort and is holding his hamstring. 22 runs off the over, but Pakistan won't want to lose Farhan here.

8.5: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX MORE! Even better and bigger! A googly, but too full and in the slot on middle. Sahibzada Farhan once again goes down on one knee and smokes it with the spin over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

8.4: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! This is turning out to be a great over for Pakistan! Willem Myburgh gives this one some more air, full and on off. Sahibzada Farhan goes down on one knee and nails the slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

8.4: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, WIDE! Flatter, full but down the leg side, Sahibzada Farhan fails to glance it away. Wided.

8.3: Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Shorter delivery, on leg. Salman Agha moves back and punches it to long on for a single.

8.2: Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Floated, full and on middle, Salman Agha goes down and swipes it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

8.1: Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, SIX! Top shot! Tossed up, full and on middle. Salman Agha skips down the track to get to the pitch of it. He presents the full face of the bat and lofts it with an extension of arms over the long on fence for a biggie.

7.6: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Slows it up, full and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan pushes it straight back to the bowler. A couple of quiet overs from the spinners.

7.5: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Short again and on off, Salman Agha stays back and clips it through square leg for one.

7.4: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Drops it short and on middle, Sahibzada Farhan has no room to work with and punches it to long on for a run.

7.3: Bernard Scholtz to Sahibzada Farhan, Flatter delivery, full and on middle, angling in, Sahibzada Farhan knocks it to the right of the bowler.

7.2: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on off, Salman Agha tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

7.1: Bernard Scholtz to Salman Agha, Tossed up, full and on off, Salman Agha drives it wide of short cover, where the fielder dives to his right to make the stop.

Spin from both ends? Indeed. Here's the left-arm orthodox spinner, Bernard Scholtz.

6.6: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Slower through the air, full and on middle and leg, turns away a bit. Sahibzada Farhan fends it back to the bowler.

6.5: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Drags his length back, on middle, Sahibzada Farhan rocks back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

6.4: Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Flighted, full and on off, Salman Agha goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for another run. 50 up for Pakistan!

6.3: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Goes short and on off, Sahibzada Farhan moves back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

6.2: Willem Myburgh to Sahibzada Farhan, Tossed up, full and on off, Sahibzada Farhan prods forward and blocks it out.

6.1: Willem Myburgh to Salman Agha, Floated, full but around leg, Salman Agha gets low and paddles it to short fine for a single.

Willem Myburgh comes into the attack. The leggie replaces Ruben Trumpelmann.

5.6: Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, Good length and on off, Salman Agha opens the face of his bat and guides it to deep third for one more. Pakistan are 47/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, On a length and around leg, Sahibzada Farhan nudges it to deep square leg for one.

5.4: Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, Falls short! Bangs this into the pitch, outside off. Salman Agha slashes hard at it. Gets a thick outside edge towards deep third, where Ruben Trumpelmann opts to save the boundary and not go for the catch. They cross.

5.3: Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Jack Brassell lands this short of a length and around off. Salman Agha manages to get on top of the bounce this time and punches it sweetly through covers for a boundary.

5.2: Jack Brassell to Salman Agha, Almost chopped on! Back of a length and on off, takes off a bit. Salman Agha looks to cut it away but fails to ride the bounce. Gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls behind the stumps.

With the fall of Saim Ayub, the umpires have called for a DRINKS BREAK. Pakistan have got up to 40 with a few streaky boundaries along the way. Namibia haven't bowled badly at all, and on another day they might have had more than just the one wicket at this stage. Once again, the steep bounce at the SSC, something we have witnessed throughout the World Cup, has been on display, and Namibia will have to adjust to it when it is their turn to bat. Pakistan's skipper, Salman Agha walks out to bat.

5.1: Jack Brassell to Saim Ayub, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Saim Ayub's luck finally runs out. Jack Brassell serves this full and outside off, keeping it away from the batter. Ayub, without any foot movement, just throws his bat at it. He only manages to get a thin outside edge behind, where Zane Green makes no mistake. It would have been a wide if he had left that ball. Another low score for Ayub in this World Cup, and Pakistan are 40/1 now.

4.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Closer to the off stump, on a back of a length, Farhan stabs it down on the off side. 9 runs off Ruben Trumpelmann's second over. His figures read 2-0-20-0.

4.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR MORE! Width offered and Farhan cashes in. Bowled with a cross-seam, going across the right-hander, on a back of a length. Farhan takes a step across the stumps to get closer to the line of the ball and he carves it over cover for a four.

4.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Not convincing, but it gets the job done for Farhan. Fuller and at the sticks, Sahibzada has a massive hoick across the line. Gets it more off the inner half of the bat but past mid-wicket for a boundary.

4.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Trumpelmann digs it in short, over off, Farhan swivels for the pull but is beaten for pace and the ball keeps rising. That looked to have sailed over the head of the batter but the umpire is happy with it.

4.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, A big swing and a miss! Trumpelmann cannot believe how the ball missed the stumps. A hint of shape back in, fuller and around the off pole. Farhan clears the front leg and swings with all his might. He is beaten on the inside edge and the ball misses the off pole by a coat of varnish.

4.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, On a good length, on middle, Ayub shovels it from the crease in front of deep square leg for a single.

3.6: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Nothing streaky about this one! Jack bangs it in short but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. It comes just below the chest, around off. Farhan stays back and unleashes the pull over mid-wicket for a four.

3.5: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Into the deck, on off, Sahibzada stands tall and pats it to cover.

3.4: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Streaky, but they all count! Cross-seam delivery, on a good length, outside off. Farhan clears the front leg and swings for the hills. The ball bounces a bit more to catch the top edge, and it flies behind. It goes through the vacant slip region for a four.

3.3: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Fuller in length, on off and middle. Farhan pushes out in front of his body. The ball squirts off an outside edge to backward point.

Shaheen Afridi is running out to the middle with a new pair of gloves for Sahibzada Farhan.

3.2: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Airmiles for both bat and ball! Brassell bashes the surface, around off. Farhan has a big swing at it to go over the top on the off side. He loses grip on the bat as it flies behind on the leg side. He manages to clear the in-field on off and collects a couple of runs.

3.1: Jack Brassell to Sahibzada Farhan, Jack hits the hard length, on off. Sahibzada Farhan rides the bounce and stabs it down the strip.

2.6: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Over off and middle, on a hard length. Sahibzada walks across the stumps and fends it beside the strip on the leg side for a single. 12 runs off Trumpelmann's first over.

2.5: Ruben Trumpelmann to Sahibzada Farhan, Pushed across the right-hander, Farhan gets on top of it and punches it to cover-point.

2.4: Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, Leg bye! Drifting in at the pads, on a back of a length, Ayub misses out on the glance. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg.

2.3: Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Off the edge and just wide! Trumpelmann delivers it on a short of a good length, outside off. Ayub throws his hands at it. The ball flies behind off the outside edge. The keeper, Zane Green, flings himself to his left but is beaten for pace. He sticks out his left hand but to no avail.

2.2: Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, Slanting in at the pads, on a good length, Ayub wrists it to the right of the man at deep square leg for a couple of runs.

2.1: Ruben Trumpelmann to Saim Ayub, FOUR! Nicely done! Trumpelmann tucks the batter up for room, on a back of a length, on middle. Ayub hangs deep in the crease and plays the short-arm jab by lifting his front leg. Hits it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a boundary.

1.6: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Flat and short, across the batter, Farhan flat bats it hard but can't beat the man at mid on.

1.5: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Beaten! Going across the right-hander, on the shorter side, Farhan has a flash at it but fails to connect.

1.4: Gerhard Erasmus to Saim Ayub, Just out of reach! Short and around off, a bit of extra bounce. Ayub flays at it. Gets a thickish outside edge and the balloons towards backward point. Louren Steenkamp runs over his left shoulder, sticks out his left hand but the ball evades him. They cross.

1.3: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Short and on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

1.2: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, Short and across off, Farhan taps it to cover.

1.1: Gerhard Erasmus to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Gets it through! Erasmus begins from around the wicket, too full, too wide. Farhan gets low and reaches out to crack the drive towards the catching cover fielder. The fielder there fails to get low quickly and is beaten to his right. It races away for the first four of the contest.

Spin from the other end as Gerhard Erasmus brings himself into the attack.

0.6: JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, A play and a miss! This decks away off the strip, on a short of a length, outside off. Saim stays leg side to knock it through the off side but the ball whistles past the outside edge.

0.5: JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, On the fuller side, on middle, Saim brings his wrists into play and flicks it to the left of mid on. Gerhard Erasmus gives it a chase and slides to haul it. Ayub is off the mark with a couple of runs.

0.4: JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, Smit keeps it in and around the off stump, on a back of a length, Ayub drops it in front of cover and wants to sneak in a single but the fielder is quick to get to the ball.

0.3: JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, Leading edge! Angled into the left-hander, on a length, on middle. Saim gets on his toes to clip it away on the leg side, but the ball nips away to square the batter up. Gets a soft leading edge and it rolls to cover.

0.2: JJ Smit to Saim Ayub, Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Ayub covers the line and blocks it out with a straight bat.

0.1: JJ Smit to Sahibzada Farhan, Farhan and Pakistan are underway! On a back of a length, outside off, Sahibzada stands tall on his toes and punches it through covers for a single to open his account.

All in readiness now! The conditions are a bit overcast and we can see the Namibian players spread out and take up the fielding positions. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are the two openers for Pakistan. JJ Smit has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of the game, but before that it is time for the unfurling of the flags of both nations. Now, Salman Agha and Gerhard Erasmus lead their respective teams out to the middle and line up for the national anthems. It will be Namibia's first followed by that of Pakistan.

PITCH REPORT - Former Sri Lankan batter, Russel Arnold, is pitchside. He informs that it was gloomy this morning, but the sun has broken through. Shares that the square boundaries measure 69 metres on one side and 67 on the other, with the straight hit being 79 metres. Former Pakistan fast bowler, Waqar Younis, believes Pakistan will feel at home in these conditions, having played a couple of games at this venue. Mentions that this pitch has offered something for everyone. Shares that at this ground, pacers have picked 31 wickets at an average of 18.96 while spinners have claimed 26 wickets at an average of 23.11.

We have not quite hit our straps - The captain of Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus, says that they really like the conditions here in Colombo and it is similar to what they have back home. Believes that they have not quite lived up to their reputation in T20 cricket. Feels that they are yet to put in the complete game, which you need against higher-ranked sides. Informs that they have made two changes for this game.

We need to bat well - The skipper of Pakistan, Salman Agha, says that it looks like a good wicket and they want to put runs on the board and put scoreboard pressure. Adds that they have been in must-win situations before in tournaments like this, and it is all about preparing well and delivering when it matters. Mentions that they are aware that batting hasn't been consistent, but they did well against the USA and need something similar here. Informs that they have made a couple of changes.

Namibia (Playing XI) - Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Alexander Volschenk (In for Dylan Leicher), JJ Smit, Zane Green (WK), Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz and Jack Brassell (In for Max Heingo).

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Khawaja Nafay (In for Abrar Ahmed), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza (In for Shaheen Afridi) and Usman Tariq.