Pakistan vs Namibia Prediction: Who Will Win PAK vs NAM 35th T20 Match on 18th February 2026?
The Pakistan vs Namibia prediction for the 35th T20 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 heavily favors Pakistan, but pressure will be immense as this is a must-win encounter for the Men in Green. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, 18th February 2026 at the SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo, starting at 7:00 PM local time. Pakistan suffered a disappointing 61-run defeat to India in their previous match and now require a win (or at least a point) to secure qualification for the Super 8 stage.
Namibia, meanwhile, have already been eliminated after three consecutive defeats but will look to end their campaign on a positive note. Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam has struggled with scores of 15, 46, and 5, while Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus has impressed with the ball, taking six wickets including a brilliant 4/20 against India.
Pakistan defeated Namibia by 45 runs in their last meeting, and on paper, their squad depth, pace attack, and spin options provide a significant advantage. Cricketwebs provide best match prediction tips for every cricket match, and given the stakes and superior experience, Pakistan enter this contest as overwhelming favorites.
- Must-Win for Pakistan: After defeat to India, Pakistan need victory to confirm Super 8 qualification.
- Namibia Eliminated: Three losses mean Namibia are out but can play fearless cricket.
- Key Performers: Gerhard Erasmus (6 wickets) for Namibia; Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan showing glimpses for Pakistan.
- Pitch Factor: SSC Colombo offers balanced conditions; spinners may play a key role in middle overs.
Match Details
| Match | PAK vs NAM, 35th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, 18th February 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM Local Time |
| Venue | SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Previews
Pakistan Preview
Pakistan enter this fixture under significant pressure after another disappointing defeat against India. The 61-run loss while chasing 176 exposed major concerns in their batting order, and now this clash against Namibia becomes a must-win scenario to secure qualification for the Super 8 stage. Despite possessing one of the most talented squads in the tournament, Pakistan have struggled to translate potential into consistent performances.
Sahibzada Farhan has been the standout batter so far with 120 runs in the competition, but his duck against India highlighted the fragility at the top. Saim Ayub, who partners him, has managed just 49 runs across matches, failing to provide explosive starts in the powerplay. The biggest talking point remains Babar Azam. The star batter has accumulated only 66 runs in three games (15, 46, and 5), well below expectations. Pakistan’s success heavily depends on Babar anchoring innings and converting starts into match-defining contributions.
Captain Salman Ali Agha has also struggled, scoring only 17 runs in three matches. However, Shadab Khan provided some resistance in the last outing with a composed 52 down the order, while Usman Khan contributed 44. Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf offer lower-order stability and finishing ability.
The bowling unit has been Pakistan’s stronger department. Six bowlers have taken at least three wickets in the tournament, reflecting a collective effort. Saim Ayub surprisingly leads as one of the top wicket-takers after his 3/25 spell. Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed provide spin options suited to Colombo’s surface, while Shaheen Afridi, despite being slightly expensive, remains a threat with the new ball. Naseem Shah could also come into contention if rotation is considered.
Pakistan’s path to victory is clear: strong powerplay performance with the bat, disciplined bowling early on, and better execution in the middle overs. If their experienced players step up, they should comfortably overcome Namibia. However, another batting collapse could make things tense.
Namibia Preview
Namibia’s campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 has been competitive but ultimately disappointing, with three consecutive defeats leading to elimination from Super 8 contention. While results have not favored them, the team has shown resilience and individual brilliance in patches, which they will aim to build upon in this contest against Pakistan.
Louren Steenkamp has been Namibia’s most consistent batter, leading the team’s scoring charts with 93 runs in three innings. His 58 off 39 balls against the USA demonstrated his ability to anchor and accelerate. Nicol Loftie-Eaton has also impressed with 83 runs, while all-rounder Jan Frylinck has contributed 71 runs, providing balance to the batting lineup.
However, the middle order has lacked consistency. JJ Smit has scored 53 runs in three matches but has not converted starts into big innings. Captain Gerhard Erasmus has struggled with the bat, scoring only 42 runs, though he has made significant impact with the ball. Erasmus has taken six wickets, including a brilliant 4/20 against India — one of the standout spells of the tournament. His leadership and bowling remain Namibia’s biggest strengths.
The bowling attack, however, lacks depth beyond Erasmus. Ruben Trumpelmann and Bernard Scholtz have picked up two wickets each, but they have struggled to apply sustained pressure. Against a powerful Pakistani lineup, early breakthroughs will be critical.
Namibia’s approach should be fearless. With nothing to lose, they can play aggressive cricket and aim to exploit Pakistan’s fragile batting confidence. If their top order fires and Erasmus delivers another impactful spell, they could challenge Pakistan more than expected. However, maintaining consistency across 20 overs remains their biggest hurdle.
Team Squads
Pakistan Squad
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Khawaja Nafay.
Namibia Squad
Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Dylan Leicher, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo, Malan Kruger, Alexander Volschenk, Jack Brassell, Jan Balt.
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan Probable XI
Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Salman Ali Agha (c)
Babar Azam
Usman Khan (wk)
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Nawaz
Faheem Ashraf
Shaheen Afridi
Abrar Ahmed
Usman Tariq
Namibia Probable XI
Louren Steenkamp
Jan Frylinck
Nicol Loftie-Eaton
Gerhard Erasmus (c)
JJ Smit
Zane Green (wk)
Ruben Trumpelmann
Dylan Leicher
Willem Myburgh
Bernard Scholtz
Max Heingo
Pakistan vs Namibia Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| WK | Usman Khan | Pakistan |
| Bat | Babar Azam | Pakistan |
| Bat | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan |
| Bat | Louren Steenkamp | Namibia |
| Bat | Nicol Loftie-Eaton | Namibia |
| AR | Shadab Khan | Pakistan |
| AR | Jan Frylinck | Namibia |
| AR | Mohammad Nawaz | Pakistan |
| Bowl | Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan |
| Bowl | Abrar Ahmed | Pakistan |
| Bowl | Gerhard Erasmus | Namibia |
This fantasy combination leans toward Pakistan due to their superior depth while retaining Namibia’s key contributors. Usman Khan is selected as wicketkeeper because of his aggressive batting potential and chances behind the stumps. Babar Azam, despite a lean run, remains a high-value pick due to his class and ability to anchor innings in pressure matches. Sahibzada Farhan has been Pakistan’s most consistent batter in the tournament.
From Namibia, Louren Steenkamp and Nicol Loftie-Eaton are reliable top-order batters who can capitalize if Pakistan’s new-ball attack misfires. Jan Frylinck adds dual value with both bat and ball.
Shadab Khan is a crucial fantasy asset, contributing in all departments. Mohammad Nawaz strengthens spin options on a Colombo surface that often aids slower bowlers. Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed provide wicket-taking potential, especially in powerplay and middle overs. Gerhard Erasmus is Namibia’s standout bowler with six wickets, making him an essential inclusion.
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Shadab Khan / Babar Azam
- Vice-Captain: Gerhard Erasmus / Shaheen Afridi
Players to Avoid
- JJ Smit (inconsistent batting returns)
- Salman Ali Agha (poor recent form)
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – Pakistan
Pakistan are overwhelming favorites due to their experience, depth, and stronger bowling attack. Despite batting inconsistency, their pace-spin combination can dismantle Namibia’s lineup. With qualification at stake, urgency and motivation are high. Namibia have shown spirit but lack depth to consistently challenge top-tier opposition.
Why Pakistan?
- Superior T20 experience
- Stronger bowling depth
- Must-win motivation
- Previous head-to-head victory
Pakistan T20 History
| Matches Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 295 | 172 | 116 | 7 | 0 |
Pakistan are one of the most successful T20 nations historically, with multiple ICC semifinal and final appearances.
Namibia T20 History
| Matches Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | 52 | 34 | 1 | 0 |
Namibia have developed strongly at Associate level but face challenges against elite Full Member teams.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Total Matches | Pakistan Won | Namibia Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Pakistan won the only previous T20 encounter by 45 runs, underlining their dominance in this matchup.
Pitch Report
The SSC Cricket Ground in Colombo typically offers balanced T20 conditions. Early overs may assist seamers with slight movement under lights, but as the match progresses, spinners often come into play. The surface can slow down in the second innings, making stroke play more challenging. Scores between 150–165 are generally competitive. Teams batting first may prefer to post a solid total and apply scoreboard pressure, especially if dew remains minimal.
Weather Report – SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Match Day | Wednesday, 18 February 2026 |
| Temperature | Around 30°C (Day) / 23°C (Night) |
| Weather | Cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms |
| Rain Probability | Moderate (especially afternoon) |
| Humidity | 70–75% |
| Wind | Light breeze |
Colombo is expected to remain cloudy with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Humidity levels will be relatively high, which may assist swing bowlers early on. If showers interrupt, Duckworth-Lewis could come into play. Evening conditions should remain warm but manageable for players.
Broadcast Details
The Pakistan vs Namibia 35th T20 match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network across India. Fans can stream the match live on JioHotstar via mobile and smart devices. International viewers should check their regional ICC broadcast partners for coverage. Pre-match analysis and live commentary will begin 30 minutes before the toss.
Toss Prediction
SSC Colombo often provides assistance to bowlers early due to humidity, especially under lights. However, the surface can slow down as the game progresses, making chasing slightly tricky if dew does not settle. Given Namibia’s fearless mindset and Pakistan’s scoreboard pressure strategy, bowling first may be the preferred option.
Toss Winner Prediction: Namibia
Decision: Bowl First
Probable Batsman & Bowler
For Pakistan, Babar Azam remains the most probable top scorer despite a quiet tournament so far. His technique and experience in pressure matches make him the key anchor. Shadab Khan could also contribute significantly with both bat and ball.
In the bowling department, Shaheen Afridi is the most likely wicket-taker if he finds rhythm with the new ball. His ability to swing it upfront can trouble Namibia’s top order.
For Namibia, Gerhard Erasmus remains their biggest threat. His 4/20 against India highlights his match-winning ability. With the bat, Louren Steenkamp is their most consistent performer.
Pakistan vs Namibia Winning Chances?
| Team | Winning % | Why They Can Win | Why They Might Lose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 91% | Strong bowling depth, experience, must-win motivation | Batting inconsistency, pressure situation |
| Namibia | 9% | Fearless approach, Erasmus in form | Limited bowling support, lack of depth |
Match Prediction
Pakistan hold a massive advantage in experience, squad depth, and bowling strength. Namibia may compete in patches, but sustaining pressure over 20 overs against a top-tier side will be difficult. Unless Pakistan’s batting collapses again under pressure, they should secure qualification comfortably.
Final Prediction: Pakistan Will Win the 35th T20 Match.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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