Pakistan will kick off their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 at the SSC Stadium in Colombo.
The match will begin at 10:30 AM, with the toss scheduled for 10:00 AM PST.
After forfeiting their scheduled match against India, Pakistan will be eager to start the tournament on a strong note and secure crucial points early on.
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The Netherlands enter the tournament with confidence, having narrowly missed defeating South Africa in the 2024 World Cup and recording a win against them in the 2022 edition.
This makes them a competitive side that Pakistan cannot afford to underestimate.
Pakistan vs Netherlands Head-to-Head
Historically, Pakistan and the Netherlands have faced each other twice in T20 internationals.
Pakistan won both matches convincingly, in 2009 and again in 2022.
READ: How to watch ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches live
Their last meeting came during the 2022 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan achieved a six-wicket victory, showcasing their dominance over the Dutch side.
Pakistan’s top-order batsmen will look to give the team a solid start, while the spinners will aim to restrict the Netherlands to a manageable total.
Fans can expect an exciting encounter as Pakistan seeks to assert their dominance from the very first match of the tournament.
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Where to Watch in Pakistan
Cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan can watch the opening clash live on Tapmad, ensuring fans do not miss any of the action from Colombo.
Squads:
Pakistan:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq
Netherlands:
Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.
