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NEW DELHI: Sahibzada Farhan's power-packed fifty and Pakistan's accurate spin attack helped them secure a comfortable 32-run win over the United States of America in a Group A T20 World Cup match on Tuesday.

Farhan’s 41-ball 73 guided Pakistan to a healthy 190 for nine, while the highly-efficient spin quartet of Abrar Ahmed (1/30), Mohammad Nawaz (1/21), Shadab Khan (2/26), and Usman Tariq (3/27) did not allow the US batters any breathing space, restricting them to 158 for eight.

It was Pakistan’s second successive victory in the tournament, leaving them atop the group with four points.

US Openers Provide a Bright Start

Shubham Ranjane played an aggressive fifty (51 off 30 balls), but it only reduced the margin of defeat.

Openers Shayan Jahangir (49 off 34) and Andries Gous (13 off 13) gave the USA a solid start, taking them to 42 in the fifth over. However, the introduction of Pakistan’s spinners changed the course of the chase.

Gous was caught by Salman Agha off Nawaz in the deep, leaving the US at 50 for 1 at the end of the Power Play.

Spin Dominates the Middle Overs

The USA struggled thereafter as Pakistan spinners claimed seven of the eight wickets to fall.

In the next four overs, US batters managed just 18 runs while losing skipper Monank Patel, who gave a return catch to leg-spinner Shadab Khan. Jahangir soon fell as well, caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi at mid-wicket off Shadab.

Ranjane and Milind Kumar (23) added 66 for the fourth wicket, but the required run rate was too steep to recover despite some big hits.

Farhan and Babar Shine with the Bat

Earlier, Farhan and Babar Azam (46 off 32 balls) added 81 runs for the third wicket, helping Pakistan recover from a slightly worrying 56 for two after the Power Play.

After being sent in, Pakistan had started brightly at 56 for no loss in five overs, but pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/25) dismissed Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Agha in the space of five deliveries in the sixth over.

Farhan, as usual, relied on brute power, sending spinners like Milind Kumar for sixes. His innings allowed Babar to settle and play his shots under the lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

The right-hander, whose strike-rate of 110 is the lowest in T20 World Cup history, took 20 balls to hit his first six, but once in rhythm, Babar showcased class with cross-batted boundaries.

He targeted left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh in the 12th over, hitting a six and two fours as Pakistan’s run rate approached 10 an over.

Farhan completed his ninth T20 fifty—his first in an ICC event—off 27 balls. Babar was dismissed shortly after, caught brilliantly by Milind off Mohammad Mohsin. Farhan also fell soon after, caught by Sanjay Krishnamurthi near long-off.

All-rounder Shadab Khan (30 off 12 balls) played some big hits in the death overs, helping Pakistan reach a strong total despite losing wickets at crucial stages.

(With PTI Inputs)