The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gets underway with an intriguing Group A opener as Pakistan (PAK) take on the Netherlands (NED) in Match 1 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground, Colombo, on Saturday, February 7. With the spotlight firmly on the tournament curtain-raiser, both teams will be keen to start their campaign on a positive note.
Match Details: PAK vs NED
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | Pakistan vs Netherlands, Match 1 (Group A) |
| Date | Saturday, 7 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST |
| Toss Time | 10:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground |
| City | Colombo |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar, FanCode |
Match Preview
Pakistan come into the World Cup with strong momentum, having recently completed a clean sweep against Australia in a three-match T20I series. Under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green appear settled and confident. However, Pakistan’s decision to not play their Group A match against India makes every remaining fixture extremely crucial, as net run-rate (NRR) could play a decisive role in qualification. A slip-up in the opening game could put immediate pressure on the former champions.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, have struggled for form in recent T20 outings. The Dutch side is winless in their last few matches, including warm-up fixtures, and will be eager to turn things around on the biggest stage. While they start as underdogs, the Netherlands have previously shown they can punch above their weight in ICC tournaments and will look to surprise Pakistan in Colombo.
Head-to-Head Record: PAK vs NED
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| Pakistan (PAK) | 2 |
| Netherlands (NED) | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
Pakistan hold a clear advantage in past T20 World Cup encounters.
Also Read: Pakistan Takes Part in ICC T20 World Cup 2026 but Boycott to Play With India
Weather & Pitch Report: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
- Weather Report: Colombo is expected to witness humid conditions, with a 20% chance of rain during the match. The temperature is likely to hover around 30°C, while humidity could reach 68%.
- Pitch Report: The SSC pitch traditionally offers early assistance to seamers, with the new ball moving around due to bounce and moisture. As the innings progresses, the surface tends to slow down, making timing difficult for batters. Considering the chance of light rain and possible DLS scenarios, bowling first after winning the toss could be the smarter option.
Probable Playing 11
Pakistan (PAK) Playing 11:
1. Saim Ayub, 2. Sahibzada Farhan, 3. Salman Ali Agha (c), 4. Babar Azam, 5. Usman Khan (wk), 6. Khawaja Nafay, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Shaheen Afridi, 10. Salman Mirza, 12. Abrar Ahmed
Netherlands (NED) Playing 11:
1. Max O’Dowd, 2. Michael Levitt, 3. Colin Ackermann, 4. Noah Croes, 5. Scott Edwards (c & wk), 6. Bas de Leede, 7. Roelof van der Merwe, 8. Saqib Zulfiqar, 9. Logan van Beek, 10. Aryan Dutt, 11. Fred Klaassen
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
Pakistan enter the contest with superior form, experience, and firepower in both departments. Their pace attack, backed by quality all-rounders, should thrive on Colombo’s surface. The Netherlands will need a near-perfect performance to challenge Pakistan, especially with their recent struggles in T20 cricket.
AI Match Prediction: Pakistan are strong favourites to win the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands.
Also Read: Pakistan Boycotts India Match in ICC T20 World Cup 2026, ICC May Fine PCB
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