PAK vs NAM Dream11 Prediction Today: Match 35 T20 World Cup 2026, Pitch Report & Fantasy XI. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reached a fever pitch as Pakistan (PAK) faces a do-or-die situation against Namibia (NAM) at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo. After a stinging 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India, Salman Ali Agha’s men must win this Group A clash to leapfrog the USA and secure a Super 8 berth. Namibia, while officially out of the race, will relish the role of “spoiler” in this high-stakes encounter.
Get the best PAK vs NAM Dream11 prediction for Match 35 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Includes pitch report, weather update, H2H stats, and expert fantasy cricket tips for Battingfirst.com.
Data Suite: Match Info & Stats
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Match | Pakistan vs Namibia, 35th Match, Group A |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Wednesday, February 18, 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM LOCAL |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network, JioStar, JioHotstar |
Pitch Report & Fantasy Impact
The SSC pitch is historically balanced but leans toward the batters compared to other Sri Lankan venues.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 169 runs.
- Spin vs Pace: Spinners thrive here due to the grip available, but the “Lords of Sri Lanka” surface offers enough bounce for pacers in the powerplay.
- Fantasy Impact: Load up on top-order batters and versatile all-rounders. Death-over specialists will be crucial as the pitch tends to slow down.
Weather Update
- Condition: Cloudy with scattered thunderstorms likely.
- Temperature: 28°C – 29°C.
- Rain Chance: 65% during the afternoon (1 PM – 3 PM), which might delay the toss. High humidity (79%) will test the bowlers’ grip.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Records
| Total Matches | PAK Won | NAM Won | Highest (PAK) | Lowest (NAM) |
| 01 | 01 | 00 | 189/2 | 144/5 |
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan (PAK): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq.
Namibia (NAM): Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, JJ Smit, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Zane Green (WK), Bernard Scholtz, Dylan Leicher, Max Heingo.
Dream11 Prediction Section
Small League (SL) Combination
- Safe Picks: Saim Ayub, Gerhard Erasmus, Shaheen Afridi.
- Captain Choice: Saim Ayub (High boundary clearing ability + bowling value).
- Vice-Captain Choice: Gerhard Erasmus (Consistent all-round impact).
Grand League (GL) Differentials
- Risky High-Ceiling Picks: Abrar Ahmed (potential for a 3-wicket haul on this spin-friendly track) and Ruben Trumpelmann (lethal left-arm angle).
- Tactical Substitution Idea: If Pakistan bowls first, make Shaheen Afridi your C.
| Category | Player Names |
| Must-Have | Saim Ayub, G. Erasmus, Shaheen Afridi |
| Budget Picks | Usman Tariq (7.0 Cr), U Khan (7.0 Cr) |
| Risky Pick | Babar Azam (Currently struggling for form) |
Key Player Analysis
- Saim Ayub (PAK): A massive Powerplay impact player. His recent 3-wicket haul against India shows he is a genuine dual-threat at the SSC.
- Gerhard Erasmus (NAM): The backbone of Namibia. His economy rate in the middle overs and anchor role in batting make him a fantasy goldmine.
- Sahibzada Farhan (PAK): After a duck against India, expect him to use his boundary-clearing ability to exploit the shorter SSC boundaries.
Match Prediction
Win Probability: Pakistan (85%) | Namibia (15%)
Verdict: Despite their batting collapses, Pakistan’s bowling depth and the must-win pressure should carry them over the line. Namibia will fight, but Pakistan is expected to win by a comfortable margin.
Final Dream11 Team (Balanced)
- Wicket-Keeper: Usman Khan
- Batters: Saim Ayub (C), Sahibzada Farhan, Louren Steenkamp
- All-Rounders: Gerhard Erasmus (VC), Shadab Khan, Jan Frylinck, Mohammad Nawaz
- Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Ruben Trumpelmann
FAQs
- Who will win today? Pakistan is the heavy favorite due to the Super 8 qualification pressure.
- What is the best C/VC choice? Saim Ayub (C) and Gerhard Erasmus (VC).
- Is rain expected to wash out the match? There is a 65% chance of rain, but a shortened game is more likely than a total washout.
- How does the pitch behave? It’s a balanced pitch with an average score of 169; spinners will play a major role.
- Who are the budget picks? Usman Tariq and Usman Khan are excellent value at 7.0 Cr.
- What happens if it’s a washout? Pakistan gets 1 point, which would likely still keep them ahead of the USA based on points.
Expert’s Verdict: Given the high humidity and overcast conditions, death-over specialists and bowlers who can change pace effectively (like Abrar Ahmed) will be the real differential picks today.
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