PAK vs NAM: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

• Fixture: Pakistan vs Namibia
• Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group A
• Match: 35th Match, Group A
• Date & Time: 18 February 2026, 3:00 PM IST
• Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Match Preview

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A stage brings together Namibia and Pakistan in Colombo for a match that means everything on one side and nothing on the other. Pakistan’s campaign has been turbulent. A nervous opening win against the Netherlands was followed by a crushing 61-run defeat against India. That defeat has put serious pressure on the defending champions. They must win here to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Super Eights alive.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson has stressed on refocusing after the defeat against India. The team management is considering making changes to the lineup, including resting senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, to inject new energy and a different mindset into the team. When a coach considers resting his best players, it shows how much the previous defeat has affected their confidence and planning.

Namibia have played a challenging tournament and are already out of the Super Eights race. They have nothing to lose. That freedom can be dangerous. Associate teams playing without pressure have created famous upsets in World Cup history. Whatever their position in the points table, Pakistan cannot underestimate them.

This match is crucial for Pakistan’s qualification hopes. A win keeps them alive. A defeat ends their tournament. Namibia will want to end their campaign on a high and send a message about the rising quality of associate cricket.

NAM vs PAK: Head to Head (T20Is)

Note: Historically, Pakistan leads this tournament with their only record T20I match win coming against Namibia.

NAM vs PAK – Squad List

Pitch Report – Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo

Team Analysis

Pakistan

Pakistan have a strong batting line-up with aggressive players like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Salman Agha who are capable of winning matches quickly. Their bowling variety includes spinners Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed, as well as fast bowlers who can take wickets at every stage.

Their concerns are significant. The heavy defeat against India exposed inconsistency at the top level and tactical questions about their approach. The change in line-up adds uncertainty. Pakistan must quickly find clarity and confidence.

The key players are Saim Ayub who has been in form with impressive contributions in recent matches. Sahibzada Farhan brings an aggressive top order presence who can change the pace of a match instantly. Abrar Ahmed is their main wicket-taker who can put pressure on the batsmen. Shadab Khan provides all-round value with both bowling and lower-order hitting.

Pakistan know that winning is not an option. It is essential to the survival of their tournament.

Namibia

Namibia has an all-round contribution from captain Gerhard Erasmus and the versatile JJ Smit who can both bat and bowl effectively. Emerging batting talents like Lauren Steenkamp and Jan Frylink provide options. Bernard Scholtz and Ruben Trumpelmann provide disciplined bowling that can trouble any batting lineup on a helpful surface.

Their concern is that they have already been eliminated from the Super Eight competition and batting consistency has been a real issue against strong opponents throughout the tournament. Pakistan’s bowling is far stronger than any Namibia has faced.

The key players to watch are Gerhard Erasmus who leads Namibia and contributes as a genuine match-winning all-rounder. JJ Smit provides run-scoring in a strong middle order and takes wickets when needed. Lauren Steenkamp accumulates runs from the top order and provides stability for the innings.

Toss Prediction

The Sinhalese Sports Club track is expected to be batsmen-friendly in the early stages. The captain who wins the toss may opt to bat first and score competitively to put pressure on the scoreboard. Setting a target is a good idea for Pakistan’s mindset at the moment. They need to control the game instead of chasing under pressure after recent experiences.

Cricbites Match Prediction

Cricbites Prediction: Pakistan will win, given their experience and batting power, although Namibia could take advantage if Pakistan’s key batsmen fail to perform.

Final Thoughts

This Group A match is a tournament survival match for Pakistan in every way. They will have to respond to India’s defeat with a disciplined performance that shows they deserve to make it to the Super Eights. Half measures are not enough against an opponent who plays freely without pressure.

Namibia will play fearlessly and with real pride in representing associate cricket at the highest level. Their bowlers will try hard. Their batsmen will swing freely. Pakistan will have to handle both teams with a composure that they have not always shown in this tournament.

Expect strategic batting from Pakistan early on. Expect important spin battles in the middle overs. Expect competitive death over cricket from both teams, who are fighting for very different reasons in Colombo.

Also Read: SA vs UAE: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats

Disclaimer

This preview and prediction is based on available match information, recent team form and team details, and expected conditions. Cricket results depend on individual performance, weather conditions, and match strategy on that day.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is the captain of Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

The captain of Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is Salman Ali Agha.

Q2. Who is the captain of Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

The captain of Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is Gerhard Erasmus.

Q3. When and at what time will PAK vs NAM be played?

Pakistan will face Namibia on 18 February 2026. This match is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM IST.

Q4. Where is the match being played?

The PAK vs NAM T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at the Sinhala Sports Club Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Q5. What is the match number of PAK vs NAM in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?

This match is the 35th match of the Group A stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.