Pakistan vs USA T20I (World Cup): Babar Azam vs Monank Patel Showdown

Pakistan don’t just require a victory Tuesday evening – they need to project a more assured image with the bat. Having just about got past the Netherlands, all eyes turn to Babar Azam, and if he’s able to set a pace which doesn’t see Pakistan constantly behind the eight-ball during their own innings.

The USA also come into this with recent damage; India’s bowlers really tested them in Mumbai, and Monank Patel went for a duck – a rare quiet night for a captain who generally gives his middle order some breathing room.

Therefore, the Pakistan versus USA T20I at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, 7:00 PM on 10th February 2026, is a battle of who can control the game. Pakistan have excellent fast bowling and wrist-spin options. The USA bring organisation, energetic fielding, and the memory of a famous win that still feels raw in Pakistan’s changing room.

Will Pakistan take the initiative right away, or will the USA pull them into yet another close finish?

In Detail

The background which still influences this match

These two nations don’t have a long history of playing each other, but there’s one outstanding moment: Dallas, June 2024. Pakistan made 159 for 7, the USA equalled that at 159 for 3, then won the Super Over 18 to 13, with Monank’s 50 from 38 balls giving the team a belief.

That outcome altered how other teams view the USA in international competitions. It also gave Pakistan a very clear indication: when their batting falters, even a good bowling attack can end up defending pressure, instead of runs.

Pakistan’s batting issue is tempo, not skill

Pakistan’s top order includes players who deserve to be on the biggest stages. The issue is the way their innings develop, particularly when the pitch becomes slower and the opportunities for boundaries reduce.

Against the Netherlands in Colombo, the chase for 148 still became a bit difficult. Sahibzada Farhan’s 47 from 31 balls gave Pakistan the start they desired, then a sequence of wickets needed a late recovery, completed by Faheem Ashraf’s power-hitting at the end. Pakistan won by three wickets, but the pattern was familiar: momentum came in bursts, not consistently.

That’s why Babar’s part is bigger than simply being an ‘anchor’. In current T20 cricket, an anchor needs to win back time from the bowlers. Babar is at his best when he turns singles into twos, anticipates length early, and targets one bowler per period, rather than attempting to win every over.

Babar Azam at his strongest is proactive in the powerplay

Babar’s perfect powerplay isn’t a rush of fours. It’s a stable team score of 40-45 with little risk, plus one over where he goes for it and compels a change of bowler. That one forceful over is important, as it throws off the opposition’s plans and creates easier matches later on.

The USA’s probable new-ball pair offer different angles, and Babar’s reaction will determine the mood:

• If the ball is swinging, Babar’s safest way to score is to the side: late cuts, dabs, and controlled pushes which keep his head still.
• If it’s gripping, he’s better off moving across his stumps and using the pull and flick to avoid reaching for length outside off.

Pakistan’s middle order can finish. Their top order needs to give them a finish which is possible without panic.

Monank Patel’s style is built for tournament pressure

Monank has always batted as if he wants to keep the chase simple. He doesn’t try to hit too hard early. He values turning the strike over. Then, when the bowler’s lengths settle, he begins selecting one area and staying there for a few overs.

In 2024 against Pakistan, he understood the pace well and kept the USA in the game without needing a PowerPlay explosion. That sort of innings is even more important in Colombo, where the ball can feel heavier under lights and timing isn’t always easy.

India’s win over the USA in Mumbai showed one flaw the USA can’t bring into this game: losing early wickets to short, hard lengths. When Monank goes out early, the USA’s order can appear to be trying to win the game in six balls, rather than 60.

So Monank’s first 15 balls will be the key small contest. If he gets through them, his ability to keep the run-rate stable becomes the USA’s greatest asset.

Colombo, SSC, and the night effect

Sinhalese Sports Club isn’t a flat track every night. The surface can begin well and then slow, particularly as the match goes on. Under lights, the spin bowlers usually get a little more grip, and cutters can bite if the seam is upright.

That points both sides towards a similar plan:

• Bat first and aim for a score which doesn’t need perfect hitting late on.
• Or chase with control, keeping wickets in hand for the final five overs when bowlers are forced into predictable lines.

For Pakistan, a good score usually comes from building a base and taking advantage with their hitters. For the USA, it comes from staying in touch until the last six overs and making Pakistan’s bowlers defend under pressure.

The bowling matchups which will decide the Pakistan vs USA T20I

This game is less about ‘big names’ and more about who wins the small tactical battles.

1) Shaheen Afridi versus the USA’s top order

Shaheen’s new-ball danger is obvious: pace at the start, angle across the right-hander, then the full ball which slips in. The USA’s best response is to deny him swing by remaining compact and taking singles early. If they bowl at him too early in the innings, edges will be a problem for the Pakistan batters.

2) Naseem Shah’s pace versus Monank’s timing

Naseem’s strongest bowling is often two overs when the batsman can’t really get his arms moving. Monank deals with this by getting to the other end and only playing the ramp or glide when the fine leg is positioned back. Should Monank get through this spell, the USA’s run-chase will become much easier.

3) Shadab Khan’s accuracy versus USA’s middle overs

USA’s middle order can be pretty bold. Shadab’s task is to make them hit at spin, and not with spin. If he bowls just outside where they want to hit it, the slog-sweep will be dangerous, and there will be chances for the fielders to take catches from mistimed shots.

4) USA’s left-arm pace and Pakistan’s right-handed top order

Pakistan’s top of the batting order is generally right-handed. A left-arm bowler who can get the ball into the pitch and disguise the slower delivery can slow Pakistan’s scoring in the later part of the innings. Pakistan’s response is to have a left and right-handed batsman at the crease at the same time for longer, so the bowler can’t settle into a single pattern.

What Pakistan should aim for, simply

Pakistan don’t require a complete overhaul; they just need a clear idea of what to do.

• Decide on a batting strategy: one batsman stays in to bat for most of the innings, and the other goes after the bowling. If Babar bats for a long time, he still has to dominate two overs in the middle of the innings.
• Don’t have “safe” overs: an over that goes for a run a ball in the 7-12 over period is a good result in tournament cricket. Pakistan should turn at least two of those overs into 10 or more runs, without taking too many risks.
• Use fast bowling in short spells: two overs at the start, and save one over for the last five. Pakistan’s quick bowlers are at their best when they’re not told to bowl a predictable yorker every ball.

What USA should aim for, simply

USA’s best chance is to make this a difficult match for Pakistan.

• Get through the first six overs with control: 42-48 runs, with one wicket, is enough. This keeps the chase going and protects the middle order.
• Attack Pakistan’s fifth bowler: every T20 team has an over they’d rather not bowl. USA must find it quickly and score 14-16 runs, not 10-11.
• Field as if it’s a knockout game: USA’s 2024 story has been about good catching and tidy fielding. Against Pakistan, saving 10 runs is often as good as scoring 25.

Possible teams and things to watch

Pakistan’s team selection suggests a flexible wicketkeeper and a pace-based bowling attack with spin support. USA’s team balance depends on allrounders to cover both the situations in the game and the number of overs.

For Pakistan, pay attention to the batting order after Babar. If Pakistan put a more aggressive batsman in at No. 3, it’s a sign that they’re trying to control the middle of the innings rather than just get through it.

For USA, see who bowls in the 15th and 17th overs. These are the overs where Pakistan can change the match, especially if they still have wickets left.

What’s at stake in Group A, from an Indian fan’s view

For Indian fans, this match is important even though India aren’t playing. The situation in Group A can change quickly, and net run rate can be a secret advantage in a group of five teams. Pakistan’s narrow win over the Netherlands already shows that they don’t have much room for error.

USA, having lost to India by 29 runs, will see this match as the one that decides whether they’re fighting for second place or just hoping that other teams will cause upsets later. Pakistan, with their upcoming game against India, can’t afford another performance that means they have to rely on late-innings heroics.

If Pakistan win easily, they’ll calm their team down and keep their bowlers in good shape for the big match in Colombo. If USA push them hard again, it won’t be a “surprise” this time. It’ll be a trend.

A brief note for fans who look at the stats

If you’re following team trends, the way players match up against each other, or fantasy league combinations around the Pakistan vs USA T20I, you can find updates and analysis on Cricket Exchange without losing track of the match.

Main Points

• USA’s confidence is real because of 2024: Pakistan 159/7, USA 159/3, then USA won the Super Over 18-13, with Monank Patel scoring the most runs with 50 off 38 balls.
• Pakistan’s opener against the Netherlands was close: they chased 148 and won by three wickets, with Sahibzada Farhan making 47 off 31 balls and a late effort from Faheem Ashraf.
• USA came into this after India beat them by 29 runs in Mumbai, a match where Monank Patel was out for 0, which puts more pressure on his early-innings decisions.
• The SSC ground under lights can make the pitch slower, so batting teams that keep their wickets for the last five overs usually have the best chances of finishing strongly.
• The match could turn on one period: Shaheen and Naseem with the new ball against Monank’s first 15 balls, then Shadab’s control in the middle overs.

Final thoughts

This Pakistan vs USA T20I isn’t about excitement, but about what teams usually do. Pakistan need a batting innings that doesn’t fall apart when the pitch has some grip, and USA need their captain to set a calm tone so the run-chase doesn’t become a panic.

By the end of Tuesday night in Colombo, we’ll know whether Pakistan have solved their timing problem, or whether USA have found another way to get a strong team into a contest on their own terms.