Pakistan vs Netherlands kicks off the T20 World Cup 2026 with high stakes in Group A.This is the 1st Match, Group A, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM local time in Colombo (11:00 AM IST). The venue is the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The SSC pitch in T20Is favors balanced contests, with only two prior games showing an average first-innings score of 158 runs at a run rate of 7.90. Pacers claim 51% of wickets, spinners 49%, making it tricky for big totals and rewarding disciplined bowling. Weather forecasts 29°C highs, 79% humidity, and a 70% chance of thunderstorms, risking delays especially early on.
As the tournament opener, this clash sets the tone for Group A, which includes heavyweights like India. Pakistan need a strong start to build net run rate after recent early ICC exits, while Netherlands aim to repeat past giant-killings like against England. A win here gives Pakistan momentum against weaker sides like USA and Namibia.
Pakistan enter buzzing from 24 wins in 34 T20Is over nine months, including sweeps over South Africa, Australia, and an Asia Cup final run. Their attack looks sharp despite Haris Rauf’s absence, with Shaheen Afridi leading. Netherlands qualified top in Europe, beating Italy and others, but face consistency issues against elites; their prep included a practice win vibe.
PAK vs NED Match Details
- Match: Pakistan vs Netherlands 1st T20 Match
- Teams: PAK vs NED
- Date: 07 Feb 2026
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Venue: (SSC) Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 1st T20 World Cup match will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Pakistan Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah
Netherland Probable XI: Max O’Dowd, Michael Levitt, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (c/wk), Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Zack Lion-Cachet, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
Head-to-Head
Pakistan dominate with 2 T20I wins from 2 meetings, no losses for Netherlands. Last five? Just two: Pakistan won by 82 runs at Lord’s in 2009 (175/5 beat 93 all out), and by 6 wickets in Perth 2022 (chasing 92 in 13.5 overs).
Pakistan Analysis
Strengths lie in explosive batting depth and versatile all-rounders like Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, plus a pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Faheem Ashraf. Babar Azam brings T20I run records, Saim Ayub attacks upfront. Weaknesses? Recent ICC group-stage flops and spin reliance on Abrar Ahmed if pacers falter. Recent 3-0 Australia thrashing shows momentum.
Netherlands Analysis
Their edge is fighting spirit and all-rounders like Bas de Leede (bat-ball threat) and Roelof van der Merwe (veteran spin). Openers Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt set platforms, pace from Logan van Beek and Paul van Meekeren swings early. Weak points: Batting fragility vs top attacks, over-reliance on middle-order rescues. Qualifier success with de Leede’s wickets fuels hope.
Key Talking Points
Watch Saim Ayub vs Paul van Meekeren—Ayub’s aggression meets swing early. Babar’s form vs Dutch spinners like Aryan Dutt could decide chases. De Leede’s middle-overs control vs Pakistan’s hitters is pivotal. Rain might force a bowl-first toss win.
Prediction
Pakistan’s superior squad depth, recent dominance (24/34 T20I wins), and head-to-head edge make them clear favorites on this balanced SSC deck. Expect them to win by 20-30 runs or 6-7 wickets, barring rain chaos—Netherlands fight but lack firepower. (Word count: