PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Shaheen Shah Afridi finally gets his opening wicket of the World Cup as he dismisses Roelof van der Merwe for 4 runs off 9 balls.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Shaheen Shah Afridi finally gets his opening wicket of the World Cup as he dismisses Roelof van der Merwe for 4 runs off 9 balls. Netherlands’ innings falling apart in the death overs. The side are in danger of being bowled out well inside 20 overs.
Netherlands 139/8 in 18.4 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The Dutch captain gets off a top edge on the sweep, and Abrar gets his second wicket of the game. The delivery was tossed up around off, and Edwards went for another sweep, only to hand a simple catch to Sahibzada Farhan in the deep.
A few balls later, Saim Ayub strikes twice to dismiss Logan van Beek and Zach Lion Cachet. The Netherlands pegged back considerably. Netherlands 129/7 in 16.5 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: During the drinks break, Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson came to the middle for an animated chat with captain Salman Agha. Pakistan eye a solid finish in the final six overs as the Netherlands took to tee off.
Mohammad Nawaz dishes out a poor 15th over, which sees the Dutch get 11 runs. The run rate goes above 8 after a brief while of underwhelming phase.
Netherlands 123/4 in 15 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Shadab Khan fails to complete the catch off his own bowling. Scott Edwards gets a much needed reprieve. Shadab put his hands up in time, but the ball failed to stick. He gives away just five runs in the 14th over. Pakistan staging a comeback at the right time.
Netherlands 112/4 in 14 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Scott Edwards unleashes the slog sweep and Mohammad Nawaz is dispatched for a maximum! Solid crack of the bat and the Netherlands captain is making his intent clear.
A ball later, Bas de Leede plays the lofted shot over covers and the ball races to the boundary fence for a four. Mohammad Nawaz, however, gets one back on the next ball as de Leede walks back after scoring 30 off 25 balls.
Netherlands 105/4 in 12.4 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Mohammad Nawaz drifts down the leg, and Scott Edwards has no problem in sweeping the delivery for a four. Shaheen Afridi tried his best but wasn’t able to stop it from going for a boundary. Netherlands 86/3 in 10.4 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: At the halfway stage, Netherlands are 79/3. Bas de Leede and Scott Edwards are in the middle, and the duo have enough experience. The two batters would like to milk the spinners before unleashing some big shots.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Netherlands might have lost three wickets but the Dutch are maintaining a good run rate of 8 per over. Scott Edwards would hope to stay till the end and propel the Netherlands to a good defendable total.
Netherlands 72/3 in 9 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: A beautiful delivery by Abrar Ahmed comes in sharply and he lives up to the tag of being the wicket-taker for Pakistan. Colin Ackermann had no clue against the ball that turned into him and hence is bowled through the gate.
Netherlands 65/3 in 8 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Salman Mirza gives away 14 runs, including three boundaries in the sixth over and the Netherlands conclude the powerplay in some style. Much-needed impetus after losing two wickets in quick succession.
Netherlands 50/2 in 6 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi combine forces for a spectacular tag team catch, and this sees the back of Michael Levitt (24). Michael Levitt wanted to go downtown for a maximum; however, he failed to get the desired connection. Babar Azam ran to his right from long-off and ended up catching it with his hands. However, the momentum took him over the boundary rope, but he lobbed the ball up in the air, and Shaheen did the needful.
Netherlands 31/2 in 4.2 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: At last, the first breakthrough comes for Salman Mirza. Max ODowd went for a pull shot on the off-cutter bowled by the pacer, but he only managed to get a top edge, and the wicketkeeper Usman Khan had no difficulty in completing a diving catch. He walks back after scoring 5 runs off 7 balls.
Netherlands 28/1 in 3.1 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Michael Levitt is treating Shaheen Shah Afridi like a novice! He begins the third opener with a boundary of the opening ball and then goes BANG for a six on the third delivery. Shaheen is being hammered left, right and centre as Levitt is showing no signs of being bogged down by a performer like Shaheen.
Netherlands 26/0 in 2.3 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: After being smashed for a four of the opening ball, Salman Mirza stages a good comeback, keeping the Dutch openers quiet. He concedes just one run off the remaining five balls.
Netherlands 14/0 in 2 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Matthew Hayden’s jaw drops after listening to the sound of Lewitt’s bat! Salman Mirza is greeted into the attack with a gorgeous shot, and the ball races to the fence through the covers. Solid intent from both openers Lewitt and Max ODowd.
Netherlands 13/0 in 1.1 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The opening over sees Shaheen Afridi not at his best as he dishes out two loose deliveries, which the Netherlands openers had no trouble in hitting for boundaries. He also comes up with two jaffas, but a true mixed bag and one expected better from the pacer, who is known for picking wickets in the opening over of a contest.
Netherlands 9/0 in 1 over.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Netherlands opener Michael Levitt begins the proceedings in some style by hitting a boundary of the opening ball. Shaheen Afridi comes up with a loose half-volley drifting to the pads and the right-hander has no trouble in flicking the delivery away to the boundary ropes.
Netherlands 4/0 in 0.1 overs.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Shaheen Shah Afridi has the ball in his hand, and the Netherlands openers are in the middle. The stage is set for the proceedings to begin. Let the game start! Over to the two teams to give us a true spectacle and something to write about.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: A sizeable and respectable crowd has turned up to see the opening match of the T20 World Cup at the SSC in Colombo. A few Pakistan fans are also in attendance. The skies are clear for now, but with Sri Lanka, you never know. It can start pouring anytime. However, the forecast is good for the entire of Saturday and hence we should get a full contest.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: It’s time for national anthems! The two teams walk out, and we are just minutes away from the beginning of the first match of the T20 World Cup 2026. Can the Netherlands spring a surprise or will it be Pakistan who sends a strong signal to the rest of the teams?
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Speaking to the broadcaster, Ramiz Raja, Pakistan captain Salman Agha said he made the decision to field based on the overhead and pitch conditions.
“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,” said Agha.
On the other hand, the Netherlands captain Scott Edwards said he doesn’t mind batting first. “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,” he added.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Here are the full playing XIs of both teams:
Pakistan: 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: 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
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bowl on a “fresh grassy pitch.” There was some drama at the toss as both captains had a good look at the coin. On the other hand, the broadcaster Ramiz Raja described the track as “a good batting surface”. It is important to state that the pitch being used for the match is completely fresh and there is a good covering of grass, which can help the bowlers early on.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: As we are just minutes away from the first coin flip of the tournament, let’s remind you about the two squads at disposal in the morning game of the T20 World Cup:
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Netherlands: Scott Edwards, 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.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The toss for the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 will take place at 10:30 AM IST. The first ball is scheduled for 11 AM. We are just minutes away from the start of the 20-team tournament. The event promises to be a cracker and trust Pakistan to give the competition a flying start, either way. Who can forget Pakistan going down against the USA in the last edition? The Dutch have the potential of shocking the world if they play to potential.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The Netherlands didn’t just qualify for this World Cup – they built a clear blueprint in the Europe Regional Final in The Hague, and a few names kept showing up when it mattered. Max O’Dowd was the volume engine at the top, piling up runs across the week and giving the Dutch predictable starts. Scott Edwards, as captain, stitched the innings together and kept the chase maths calm.
The clincher against Italy had an old pro stamp: Roelof van der Merwe delivered a match-winning performance when qualification was on the line. And around them, the Netherlands’ tournament identity stayed intact – a top order that can set a base, plus bowlers like Logan van Beek and Paul van Meekeren who bring discipline with burst wickets.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Pakistan’s build-up to this World Cup has been loud – and it’s because they demolished Australia in a 3-0 T20I sweep in Lahore right before flying out. The statement win was the finale: Australia’s worst-ever T20I defeat by runs, a 111-run hammering that underlined how ruthless Pakistan looked when the ball started gripping, and the middle overs became a squeeze.
It wasn’t just one freak night either. Pakistan dominated the series with a template that travels: powerplay intent, spin choke in the middle, and wickets falling in clusters. Momentum is real – but the World Cup now asks the harder question: can they stay clinical when it matters the most?
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The Netherlands have arrived in this T20 World Cup the hard way – through the Europe Regional Final in The Hague (July 2025), not via rankings or a free pass. They entered a five-team qualifier featuring Scotland, Italy, Jersey and Guernsey, where only the top two made it. The Dutch did what good qualifying teams do: kept it simple, topped the table, and then slammed the door in the key fixture – a nine-wicket win over Italy on the final day that sealed their ticket. Italy still went through alongside them, but the Netherlands’ message was clear: they didn’t just qualify – they controlled the qualification round.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The Netherlands have a reputation in this format for ruining big teams’ plans – and they’ve done it on the biggest stage. In the 2009 T20 World Cup opener at Lord’s, they beat England off the last ball. Five years later in 2014, they embarrassed England again, this time by 45 runs. Then came the result that made the world sit up: at the 2022 T20 World Cup, the Netherlands beat South Africa by 13 runs in Adelaide – a defeat that effectively ended South Africa’s semi-final hopes.
They aren’t a “shock-only” side either: in 2022, they also won a Super 12 game against Zimbabwe, showing they can back up an upset with solid, methodical cricket.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: When playing in Sri Lanka, one big threat is that of the rain. However, we are happy to report that there is minimal chances of heavy downpour at the venue. Just 10 per cent chance of rain on Saturday and we are likely to have a full contest at our disposal. As we speak, the sun is shining.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Pakistan’s selection story isn’t only about who’s back in – it’s also about who isn’t there. With Haris Rauf ruled out, Pakistan lose a pure pace enforcer, but the bigger takeaway is what it signals: this squad seems built for control, not chaos. In Colombo conditions, where the game can slow down, and overs 7-16 decide everything, Pakistan appear to be leaning towards bowlers who can hit lengths, change pace, and squeeze rather than just blast. It’s a “safer” template on paper – but it also means Pakistan must stay ruthless in the field and nail their match-ups early.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: On the eve of the game, Pakistan captain Salman Agha made a bold remark, saying the team would not hesitate in dropping Babar Azam or Fakhar Zaman if they don’t fit into the combination properly. Quite a remark to make.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Babar Azam’s late recall has quietly become one of Pakistan’s biggest pre-tournament storylines. He wasn’t in the original plan, then suddenly came back into the 15 just days before the opener – a move that screams “experience over experimentation” after Pakistan’s recent ICC stumbles. It also reshapes the dressing-room dynamic under a new captain in Salman Ali Agha: the group is being sold as “best XI, not reputations,” yet Babar’s return shows reputations still matter when the pressure is real. On paper, it steadies Pakistan’s top order and gives them a bankable presence in the powerplay. But it also raises a simple question for the first game: are Pakistan building a bold new template – or running back to the safest old one because the World Cup starts today?
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup record is still one of the tournament’s most loaded storylines: they’ve played 51 matches, winning 30 and losing 19, with two tied games decided later by tiebreaks. They’ve featured in every edition since 2007 and remain one of only a handful of teams to reach multiple finals. Their peak came in 2009, when they won the title, and they’ve finished runners-up twice – 2007 and 2022. Add three semi-final runs (2010, 2012, 2021), and it’s a CV that screams pedigree – but also explains why expectations spike the moment Pakistan walk out.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Pakistan’s decision to boycott the India game turns Group A into a tightrope. In point terms, it’s not just “dropping a fixture” – it’s effectively giving away two points. Per ICC playing conditions, the forfeit also dents net run-rate because Pakistan’s full 20-over quota is counted in their NRR maths without any runs scored being added, while the team awarded the match doesn’t take an NRR hit.
Now, another layer is Colombo’s rain threat – the forecast window for scattered showers/thunderstorms later in the week raises the odds of a shortened match or even a no-result. In a five-team group where only two go through, Pakistan can’t afford a washed-out point split and a slip-up. One bad result, one rain-tilted chase, and the “three matches left” path becomes instant must-win territory.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: World Cups have a way of punishing Pakistan the moment they treat an underdog like a formality. The freshest scar is Dallas 2024, when Pakistan were dragged to a Super Over by the USA after 159-all and lost a game that instantly turned their group into a panic room.
Two years earlier, at the 2022 T20 World Cup, they slipped again – Zimbabwe won by one run in Perth, defending 130 and leaving Pakistan at 129/8 in a chase that should never have gone that deep.
And ODI World Cups have their own reminders: Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 62 runs in Northampton in 1999, and Ireland knocked them out in 2007, winning by three wickets (D/L) in Kingston. That’s why the Netherlands isn’t “easy points” – it’s a focus test.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: The head-to-head is tiny but clean – and that’s exactly why this is a dangerous kind of opener. They’ve played two T20Is, both at T20 World Cups, and Pakistan have won both. The first was a demolition at Lord’s in 2009 (Pakistan by 82 runs). The second came in Perth in 2022, when the Netherlands were strangled to 91/9, and Pakistan chased 95/4 in 13.5 overs.
There’s been no bilateral T20I meeting between the sides yet – every time they’ve met, it’s been on a World Cup stage. For Pakistan, the job is simple: start sharp, deny hope early, and avoid gifting an underdog a story.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Pakistan cannot afford a slip up in the opening game of the tournament, considering they won’t be playing the match against India on February 15. A loss against the Netherlands would act as a deterrent to Pakistan’s hopes of progressing to the Super 8s. On the other hand, the Dutch will just look to enjoy themselves as they have enough experience of being party poopers, just ask England and South Africa.
PAK vs NED, T20 World Cup Live Updates: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the opening match of the World Cup between Pakistan and Netherlands. The first ball is scheduled for 11 AM with the toss set to take place at 10:30 AM. Stay tuned for more.