Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan spoke about playing at the Pallekele venue for the first time during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Farhan said that he spoke to senior batter Babar Azam about the surface and added that the team will judge conditions on match day before finalizing their approach.
Pakistan were left disappointed after their opening Super 8 match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. The Salman Ali Agha-led team will play their next match against England at the Pallekele International Stadium on Tuesday, February 24.
I Spoke to Babar Azam… – Sahibzada Farhan on Pallekele Pitch
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sahibzada Farhan said that he is playing at the venue for the first time. He stated that senior players, including Babar Azam, have told him the pitch is usually good for batting. Farhan added that the ball gripped in the previous game.
“This is my first time playing here and also my first match at this venue. But our senior players have played here before, and from what I’ve heard from them, it is usually a batting-friendly pitch where the ball comes nicely onto the bat,” Farhan said.
“However, yesterday’s match felt a bit different. The ball was gripping and stopping slightly. But I don’t think you can decide in advance that tomorrow’s wicket will be the same. From what we have seen so far, I also spoke to Babar Azam, and he said the wicket is generally very good. So I feel we will wait and see how the pitch behaves tomorrow and then play accordingly.”
We Also Have Strong Fast Bowlers – Sahibzada Farhan on Jofra Archer
Sahibzada Farhan said that facing Jofra Archer will not be a major challenge for him. He stated that Pakistan batters regularly face fast bowlers with similar pace. Farhan added that while Archer will have a plan, he is also prepared with his own approach for the contest.
“Facing Jofra Archer is not such a big deal because we face similar bowlers back in Pakistan. We also have strong fast bowlers who bowl around 145 kph, so it’s nothing unusual,” Farhan stated.
“He will obviously come in with a plan, but I have also come with my own plan. It’s not like only he has prepared. God willing, it will be a good contest tomorrow.”
Sahibzada Farhan Leads Run Charts After Maiden T20I Century
Sahibzada Farhan scored his maiden international century and led Pakistan to a 102-run win over Namibia on Wednesday.
Farhan remained unbeaten on 100 off 58 balls, reaching the milestone in the final over as Pakistan posted 199 in a must-win Group A match at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. His innings gave Pakistan complete control of the game.
Namibia were then bowled out for 97, ending their tournament without a single win and finishing at the bottom of the group. Spinner Usman Tariq starred with the ball, claiming career-best figures of 4 for 16 while cleaning up the tail.
Farhan is the tournament’s leading run-scorer so far, with 220 runs in four matches at an average of 73.33 and a strike rate of 164.18, including 21 fours and 11 sixes.
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