Pakistan will take on Namibia in Match 35 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on February 18 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo. The match will start at 3:00 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 2:30 PM IST.
This is a crucial Group A contest for Pakistan. They currently have two wins and one loss from three matches and are placed third with four points. After a heavy defeat against India, their net run rate has dropped, and this match has become a must-win to secure a place in the Super 8.
Namibia, meanwhile, are already out of the qualification race after losing all three of their matches. However, they will look to finish their campaign on a positive note and play fearless cricket against a strong Pakistan side.
PAK vs NAM Match Details
| Match | Pakistan vs Namibia, Match 35 |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | 18 February 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST (Toss: 2:30 PM) |
| Venue | SSC Ground, Colombo |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (App & Website) |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
Group A Scenario
Pakistan have defeated Netherlands and USA but suffered a major loss against India, which has affected their net run rate. A win here will almost confirm their Super 8 qualification, while a loss or washout could put their chances at risk.
Namibia have struggled in the tournament, losing to USA, India and Netherlands. With no points so far, they will aim to challenge Pakistan and end their campaign with a strong performance.
Weather could also play a role, with rain forecast around match time. Even a washout may help Pakistan with one point, but they would prefer a clear win to avoid any complications.
Also see: PAK vs NAM Toss Prediction Match 35th T20 World Cup 2026
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Matches | Pakistan Won | Namibia Won |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
The two teams met once before in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan registered a comfortable victory.
PAK vs NAM Pitch Report
The SSC surface offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. There is some grass on the pitch, which helps pacers early with bounce and seam movement. As the match progresses, batters who settle in can score freely, while spinners become effective in the middle overs.
The average first-innings score at this venue in the tournament has been around 165–170. Both batting first and chasing teams have enjoyed success here. With cloud cover and possible rain interruptions, teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first.
A total in the range of 160–180 should be competitive.
Also see: PAK vs NAM Dream11 Prediction Today Match 35th
PAK vs NAM Probable Playing XI
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam / Khawaja Nafay, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq
Impact option: Fakhar Zaman / Naseem Shah
Namibia
Lohan Louwrens / Laurens Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Willem Myburgh, Max O’Dowd / Maiga
Impact option: Additional pace or spin option
Players to Watch
Pakistan:
Salman Ali Agha’s leadership and batting, Shaheen Afridi with the new ball, and the spin duo of Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed will be key. The top order, including Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, needs to provide a strong start.
Namibia:
Captain Gerhard Erasmus and all-rounder JJ Smit will play important roles, while Ruben Trumpelmann’s early swing could trouble Pakistan’s top order.
Key Match Factors
- Rain interruptions could impact the game.
- Early wickets will be crucial on a surface offering seam movement.
- A score above 170 could put the chasing team under pressure.
Match Prediction
Pakistan start as clear favourites due to their experience, stronger bowling attack and deeper batting lineup. With Super 8 qualification on the line, they are expected to play with high intensity.
Namibia have shown fighting spirit throughout the tournament and could make the contest competitive if their bowlers strike early.
However, if Pakistan bat first and post a total around 170 or more, they are likely to secure the win and confirm their place in the Super 8 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
