The Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo was buzzing with anticipation on February 10, 2026, as Pakistan and the United States squared off in a high-stakes Group A clash at the T20 World Cup. With memories of the USA's stunning upset over Pakistan in the 2024 edition still fresh, fans and players alike knew this match was loaded with history, pressure, and the promise of fireworks under the lights—the first-ever night game at this storied venue.
Packed stands watched as USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and opted to bowl first, banking on early movement and the extra bounce that the pitch report promised. The surface, described as offering more bounce than usual for Colombo, was expected to be a batting paradise, with a par score of around 175. The cloud cover hanging over the ground only added to the sense of occasion, making the toss even more decisive.
Pakistan, eager to avoid a repeat of their 2024 heartbreak and to steady their campaign after a nervy win against the Netherlands, made a tactical change. Usman Tariq was brought in for Salman Mirza, a move that captain Salman Ali Agha explained at the toss: “We’ve got one change. Usman Tariq is playing. Salman Mirza is unfortunately missing out. We wanted to give Usman a game. I think he’s a match-winner and a trump card for us, so we want to use him.”
The United States, still reeling from injury woes, also shuffled their deck. Shayan Jahangir and Ehsan Adil were slotted in, with Ali Khan ruled out due to a leg injury. Shubham Ranjane, too, was a fitness concern, but the Americans pressed on, determined to once again play the role of giant-killers.
As the national anthems faded, Pakistan’s openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub strode to the crease, facing Saurabh Netravalkar’s new-ball challenge. The opening exchanges were electric—Ayub and Farhan both found the fence in the very first over, setting the tone for an aggressive powerplay. Farhan, in particular, was in sublime touch, peppering the boundary with a flurry of crisp drives and powerful pulls. By the end of the fifth over, Pakistan had surged to 54 for no loss, with Farhan racing to 34.
The Americans, though, weren’t about to let the game slip away. Shadley van Schalkwyk, the tournament’s in-form bowler, broke the opening stand by removing Saim Ayub for 19. He then struck again in the same over, sending Salman Ali Agha back for just 1. Suddenly, Pakistan were wobbling at 56/2, the momentum shifting.
Farhan, undeterred, kept the scoreboard ticking. He reached his half-century in style, anchoring the innings even as wickets tumbled around him. Babar Azam, demoted to number four in a bid to shore up the middle order, joined Farhan and together they rebuilt the innings. Babar, criticized for a scratchy 15 in the previous match and under the spotlight after calls for his exclusion, answered his critics with a composed 46, including a towering six that nearly landed in the Pakistan dugout.
Pushing towards what looked like a certain 200-plus total, Pakistan’s innings took a dramatic turn. After Farhan’s superb 73 off 41 balls ended with a miscue to long-off, the wheels came off. The Americans, led by van Schalkwyk’s inspired spell, ripped through the lower order. Van Schalkwyk finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 25, taking his tournament tally to seven wickets. Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Shadab Khan all departed in quick succession, and Pakistan collapsed from a position of strength to 190/9, losing five wickets in the space of just 10 balls. The late-innings carnage meant Pakistan missed out on the 200 mark, a bittersweet finish after such a promising start.
As the USA began their chase of 191, the tension was palpable. Openers Andries Gous and Shayan Jahangir gave the Americans a brisk start, taking nine runs off Shaheen Afridi’s first over. Jahangir, a Pakistan-born batter, was especially aggressive—living dangerously but reaping rewards, as every run he scored early on came from boundaries. The USA reached 37/0 by the fifth over, with both openers finding the gaps and keeping the run rate healthy.
The breakthrough for Pakistan came courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz, who had Gous caught at mid-off for 13. After the fall of the first wicket, the Pakistani spinners tightened the screws. The runs dried up, and mounting pressure led to the dismissal of USA captain Monank Patel, who was caught and bowled by Shadab Khan for just 3. At 58/2 after 8.3 overs, the USA found themselves in a precarious position, needing a partnership to keep their hopes alive.
Jahangir, however, continued to fight, nearing his half-century and refusing to let the game drift. The Pakistani spinners, led by Shadab and Nawaz, kept things tight, but Jahangir’s intent ensured the contest stayed alive. The American camp needed someone to stick with him, but the pressure of the chase and the quality of Pakistan’s spin attack made boundaries hard to come by.
Throughout the evening, the game ebbed and flowed. Pakistan’s decision to bat first looked vindicated for most of their innings, but their late collapse gave the Americans a sniff. The USA, for their part, showed plenty of grit and flashes of brilliance, with van Schalkwyk’s spell and Jahangir’s batting standing out. Injuries and the absence of key players like Ali Khan certainly hampered their cause, but the team’s fighting spirit was undeniable.
This contest was more than just a group-stage fixture; it was a clash of cricketing cultures, a renewal of a budding rivalry, and a test of nerve under the lights. With the USA’s chase still underway and Jahangir leading the charge, the match remained delicately poised, the outcome hanging in the balance as fans on both sides dared to dream.
As the night deepened over Colombo, one thing was clear: the Pakistan-USA rivalry is swiftly becoming one of the most compelling stories of the T20 World Cup. With every over, the stakes get higher, and the cricket just gets better. Stay tuned—this one’s far from over!