Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has signaled his team's intent ahead of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 encounter with India in Colombo. After leading Pakistan to an emphatic win over USA with his batting blitz, Farhan stated that Pakistan plan to approach the game with a positive and attacking mindset. Farhan's remark reflect a confident Pakistani side looking to carry their aggressive form into what is widely considered the most intense rivalry in world cricket.
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We'll try to play attacking cricket against India: Sahibzada Farhan
The confirmation of the fixture comes as a major relief to fans and organizers alike, following the Pakistan government's decision to call off its proposed boycott on February 9. With the diplomatic hurdles cleared, the stage is now set for the two giants to meet in their marquee T20 World Cup clash on February 15.
"We'll go in with the same mindset as we did in our previous matches against India, including the Asia Cup. We'll try to stay positive and play attacking cricket," Farhan said after the match.
Farhan was officially named Player of the Match for his blistering 41-ball 73, which served as the cornerstone of Pakistan's 32-run victory over the USA. His lightning knock was punctuated with six fours and five sixes, provided the aggressive start Pakistan needed to reach a total of 190/9. During the post-match ceremony, Farhan expressed high confidence, noting that he had been middling everything in the nets the day prior and felt a big score was coming.
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I said I will win player-of-the-match award: Sahibzada Farhan
This performance was particularly significant as it helped Farhan cross the milestone of 1,000 T20I runs in his 41st match. By anchoring an 81-run partnership with Babar Azam, he ensured that Pakistan remained in control despite a mid-innings slowdown. His contribution proved decisive in helping Pakistan secure their second consecutive win and move to the top of Group A as they prepare for their high-stakes encounter against India.
"The way we practiced yesterday, the ball was coming onto my bat really well in the nets. I had already told our batting coach (Hanif Malik) yesterday that I was getting a good feeling for today's match. I was confident. I even said, I will finish the match in a way that earns me the player-of-the-match award. I've set a personal target for myself, to win at least two to three player-of-the-match awards in this World Cup," he added.