ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M1: NED vs PAK at Colombo on 07/02/26 - Page 3

The Netherlands have been a consistent presence in T20 World Cups since 2014, with this one marking their seventh appearance. Across 27 matches, they’ve claimed 10 wins - many of them unforgettable. 2009 - a thrilling last-ball finish to beat England at Lord's. 2014 - an outrageous run-chase in Sylhet to hunt down Ireland's 189 inside 14 overs and then humbling England in Chattogram to win by a margin of 45 runs. 2022 - stunned South Africa at the Adelaide Oval by knocking them out of the World Cup with a famous 13-run victory. Colombo, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad - they have to travel a lot to play their four group-stage matches. The Dutch haven't played a T20I for five months and the conditions too don't favour them. However, one thing is certain, they'll play with a lot of spirit. Based on the rankings, they are the third best team in Group A. Can they find a way to progress to the Super 8s?

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field

It's toss time. Agha flips the coin. Heads is the call, tails it is.

Teams:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Netherlands (Playing XI): Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(w/c), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren

Scott Edwards: We would have bowled first as well, but happy to bat first. You have four matches and you got to win three. We've been in India and Sri Lanka for the last month and a half now. Plenty of all-rounders, plenty of options for bowling and batting.

Salman Agha: We would look to field first. If there's any moisture, we want to use that. We are playing three seamers. They are a very good side. We want to execute our plans.

Thanks for the tag Savera ji!

May the best team win today!

Salman Agha gives the pep talk

Fresh pitch, fresh start: A well grassed surface at the SSC for the opener, but Netherlands have attacking options in their top-order and should make at least 45 for the loss of one wicket in the batting powerplay

Time for the national anthems - the Netherlands' first followed by Pakistan's. The pre-match ritual is completed.

The Netherlands has the most T20 World Cup wins (4) by an associate team against full-member sides - beating England twice, plus South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Thank you for the tag Raji

I am all excited for India's match

Netherlands

(3.4/20 ov) 29/1

Pakistan

Pakistan chose to field.

Stats view

Current RR: 7.90

Netherlands lose their 1st wicket . Max Dowd out. Netherlands 28/1 (3.3 overs)

Netherlands

(6/20 ov) 50/2

Pakistan

Pakistan chose to field.

Stats view

Current RR: 8.33

• Last 5 ov (RR): 41/2 (8.20)

Live Forecast:

NED 150