Colombo’s sweltering heat set the stage for a masterclass in spin bowling as Pakistan outsmarted USA in the T20 World Cup 2026. Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan racked up 190/9 in 20 overs. USA’s chase crumbled under a spin barrage, ending at 158/8, 32 runs shy.
Captain Salman Ali Agha astounded fans by deploying spinners for 80% of the innings—16 overs total. Shaheen Afridi was the lone pacer trusted with four overs; the rest, including Faheem Ashraf, sat idle.
Breaking down the spin attack: Saim Ayub (1 over), Abrar Ahmad (4 overs, 1 wicket), Mohammad Nawaz (3 overs, 1 wicket), Shadab Khan (4 overs, 2 wickets), and debutant Usman Tariq (4 overs, 3 wickets). Their combined effort dismantled USA’s batting lineup.
This spin dominance echoes Pakistan’s past experiments. In 2012 Colombo vs Australia, they bowled 18 spin overs. Other heavy spin outings include 15 overs each against South Africa (2012), West Indies (2013), England (2021), and Afghanistan (2023).
The decision hints at deeper concerns over Pakistan’s express pacers’ form or suitability for Colombo’s conditions. Still, the win boosts morale, proving spinners can be lethal even in T20’s pace-dominated narrative. Pakistan eyes further success with this reinvented blueprint.