Forget the fire-breathing pacers—Pakistan rewrote T20 tactics against USA in Colombo during T20 World Cup 2026. They clinched a 32-run victory by unleashing spinners for 16 overs, only trusting Shaheen Afridi with four. Captain Salman Ali Agha’s strategy silenced doubters as USA stuttered to 158/8 chasing 191.
Pakistan’s innings was a rollercoaster: 190/9 after electing to bat post-toss loss. Spinners then turned the screw. Usman Tariq led with 3/??, Shadab Khan 2/??, Abrar Ahmad and Mohammad Nawaz 1 each. Saim Ayub supported with an over, while Faheem Ashraf watched from the sidelines.
Stats nerds note this as Pakistan’s second-heaviest spin reliance in T20s: previously 18/20 vs Australia (Colombo 2012). They’ve hit 15 spin overs multiple times—at home against South Africa (2012), vs West Indies (Kingston 2013), England (Manchester 2021), and Afghanistan (Hangzhou 2023).
Is this a sign of eroding trust in Pakistan’s pace battery? Afridi aside, the fast bowlers were benched, spotlighting spin depth amid questions over form and fitness. Victory aside, it signals a strategic pivot for subcontinental conditions. Pakistan’s spinners have arrived, ready to spin webs around global rivals.