Pakistan and Namibia have met only twice in men’s T20I cricket, but both encounters came on the biggest stage: the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The first meeting in 2021 produced a competitive Namibia effort before Pakistan pulled away late. Five years later, the sides met again in Colombo, where Sahibzada Farhan’s century and a dominant spin attack gave Pakistan a much bigger victory. Here is the complete Pakistan vs Namibia timeline, including results, scorecards and the moments that shaped each match.
Quick Summary
- T20I meetings: 2
- Pakistan wins: 2
- Namibia wins: 0
- First meeting: 2 November 2021, Abu Dhabi
- Latest meeting: 18 February 2026, Colombo
- 2021 result: Pakistan won by 45 runs
- 2026 result: Pakistan won by 102 runs
- Both matches were played at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan vs Namibia Head-to-Head Record
The Pakistan vs Namibia head-to-head record is short and straightforward. Pakistan have won both of their T20I meetings, giving them a 2-0 lead. Namibia have yet to defeat Pakistan in an international match.
Interestingly, neither side has played the other in an ODI or Test match. Their two recorded meetings have both been T20 World Cup fixtures, making the rivalry less about a long bilateral history and more about memorable tournament encounters.
| Year | Tournament | Venue | Result |
| 2021 | T20 World Cup | Abu Dhabi | Pakistan won by 45 runs |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup | Colombo | Pakistan won by 102 runs |
That progression is striking: Pakistan’s winning margin more than doubled between the two matches.
2021: Pakistan vs Namibia – A 45-Run Victory
The first Pakistan vs Namibia match took place on 2 November 2021 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi during the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Their start was not particularly explosive. After ten overs, they had only 59 runs on the board, with Namibia’s bowlers applying genuine pressure.
The game changed dramatically in the second half of Pakistan’s innings.
Babar and Rizwan turn the match around
Babar Azam eventually found his timing and scored 70 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 79 from 50 balls. The pair added 113 for the opening wicket, giving Pakistan the platform for a substantial finish.
Mohammad Hafeez then provided another burst of acceleration, scoring 32 from just 16 deliveries. Rizwan was particularly destructive at the end, taking 24 runs from the final over.
Pakistan finished on 189/2, a total that looked difficult for Namibia to chase.
Namibia’s reply started reasonably well, but the required run rate kept climbing. Stephen Baard scored 29, while Craig Williams contributed 40. David Wiese provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 43 from 31 balls, but Namibia could only reach 144/5.
Pakistan therefore won by 45 runs, with Rizwan named Player of the Match.
Key moments from 2021
- Pakistan recovered from a slow opening ten overs.
- Babar Azam scored 70.
- Mohammad Rizwan made 79 not out from 50 balls.
- Pakistan scored 130 runs during their final ten overs.
- Namibia’s David Wiese finished unbeaten on 43.
- Pakistan’s victory was their fourth consecutive Super 12 win at the tournament and confirmed their place in the semi-finals.
For Namibia, the match was still significant. They had competed well for long periods, particularly with the ball, before Pakistan’s experienced top order took control.
2026: Pakistan vs Namibia – Farhan’s Century Seals a 102-Run Win
The second chapter of the Pakistan vs Namibia timeline came on 18 February 2026, again in the T20 World Cup, this time at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
The stakes were high for Pakistan. They needed victory in their final Group A fixture to secure qualification for the Super Eight stage.
They delivered in emphatic fashion.
Sahibzada Farhan produces a memorable hundred
Pakistan lost an early wicket but gradually built momentum. Sahibzada Farhan took responsibility at the top of the order and produced the innings of the match.
He finished unbeaten on 100 from 58 balls, hitting 11 fours and four sixes. It was his maiden T20I century and came at a strike rate of more than 172.
Salman Ali Agha added 38 from 23 balls, while Shadab Khan smashed an unbeaten 36 from 22 deliveries. Pakistan reached 199/3 from 20 overs.
The total gave Namibia a steep challenge, and the chase quickly fell apart.
Pakistan’s spinners dominate
Namibia began positively, reaching 32 without loss, but Pakistan’s bowling attack changed the game once the spinners came on.
Usman Tariq produced career-best figures of 4/16, while Shadab Khan claimed 3/19. Mohammad Nawaz also took a wicket.
Namibia lost nine wickets for only 58 runs during the middle part of the innings. Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 23, while Alexander Busing-Volschenk made 20.
Namibia were eventually bowled out for 97 in 17.3 overs, handing Pakistan a 102-run victory.
The result was not merely another head-to-head win. It secured Pakistan’s place in the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
What Changed Between the Two Pakistan vs Namibia Matches?
The contrast between the two encounters is worth examining.
In 2021, Namibia were able to stay competitive for much of the contest. Pakistan’s batting experience eventually proved decisive, particularly during the final ten overs.
In 2026, Pakistan were more dominant in both innings. Farhan’s century pushed the score close to 200, and the bowling attack then dismantled Namibia’s middle order.
The winning margins tell the story:
2021: Pakistan 189/2 beat Namibia 144/5 by 45 runs.
2026: Pakistan 199/3 beat Namibia 97 all out by 102 runs.
There is also an interesting change in the standout performers. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were the central figures in 2021, while Sahibzada Farhan and Pakistan’s newer bowling combination dominated the 2026 encounter.
That makes the timeline useful for more than simply listing scores. It shows how Pakistan’s T20 side evolved between the two tournaments.
Pakistan vs Namibia Timeline: Key Records and Moments
The two matches have already produced several notable statistics.
Biggest Pakistan victory
Pakistan’s 102-run win in 2026 is their largest victory over Namibia in T20Is. It also became Pakistan’s biggest winning margin in men’s T20 World Cup history at that point.
Highest individual score
Sahibzada Farhan’s unbeaten 100 from 58 balls is the highest individual score recorded in Pakistan-Namibia T20I meetings.
Best bowling performance
Usman Tariq’s 4/16 in the 2026 match is the best bowling return in the two-match head-to-head record.
Pakistan remain unbeaten
Pakistan have won both T20I meetings, while Namibia remain without a victory against them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have Pakistan and Namibia played each other?
Pakistan and Namibia have played two men’s T20I matches, both at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan won both encounters.
When did Pakistan first play Namibia?
Pakistan first played Namibia in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on 2 November 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the match by 45 runs.
Who won Pakistan vs Namibia in 2026?
Pakistan won the 2026 T20 World Cup match by 102 runs. Pakistan scored 199/3, with Sahibzada Farhan making 100 not out, before bowling Namibia out for 97.
Who was Player of the Match in Pakistan vs Namibia 2026?
Sahibzada Farhan was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 100 from 58 balls in Colombo.
Conclusion
The Pakistan vs Namibia timeline currently contains only two matches, but both have a clear place in T20 World Cup history. Pakistan won the first encounter by 45 runs in 2021 and followed it with an emphatic 102-run victory in 2026. With Pakistan leading the head-to-head 2-0, the next meeting will give Namibia an opportunity to rewrite a record that has so far belonged entirely to Pakistan.
