In a high-stakes encounter against Namibia, Pakistan faced a simple equation: win to advance to the Super Eight or lose and be eliminated. Rising to the occasion, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan delivered a masterclass, registering a sensational century that kept his team’s hopes alive.
Farhan’s innings is historic, as he became only the second Pakistani cricketer to score a century in a T20 World Cup. The first was Ahmed Shehzad, who struck 111* against Bangladesh in the 2014 edition. Farhan’s feat not only revived Pakistan’s prospects in this tournament but also etched his name in the national records as the fastest T20 World Cup century by a Pakistani.
Remarkably, Farhan reached his fifty in just 37 balls before completing his hundred off 57 deliveries. This eclipses Shehzad’s previous record, which came in 58 balls. His innings was characterised by aggressive strokeplay, featuring 11 fours and 4 sixes, demonstrating his ability to dominate the bowling and control the game under immense pressure.
This century also marks the third of the ongoing T20 World Cup, following efforts from Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Canada’s Juvraj Singh Samra, highlighting the emergence of exciting young talent across the tournament. Farhan’s ability to combine power with precision makes him a key figure for Pakistan’s ambitions in the competition.
The table below summarises the fastest centuries by Pakistani batsmen in T20 World Cups:
| Batsman | Year | Opponent | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmed Shehzad | 2014 | Bangladesh | 111* | 58 | 10 | 5 | First Pakistani T20 WC century |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 2026 | Namibia | 101* | 57 | 11 | 4 | Fastest Pakistani T20 WC century |
Cricket analysts have praised Farhan for his composure and timing, noting that his innings came at a critical juncture when Pakistan’s tournament survival was at stake. The young opener’s maturity at the crease, combined with his aggressive shot-making, could prove decisive as Pakistan eyes a place in the Super Eight.
At just 20 years of age, Farhan’s innings exemplifies the potential of the next generation of Pakistani cricketers. His ability to perform under pressure and accelerate the scoring rate gives Pakistan a competitive edge, especially in do-or-die scenarios like today’s match.
As the game progresses, all eyes remain on Farhan to see if his record-breaking effort can steer Pakistan to victory and extend their T20 World Cup journey. Whether this innings becomes a defining moment for him and the team will unfold in the final stages of this crucial contest.