The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will kick off with Pakistan vs. the Netherlands on February 7, 2026. The 20-over contest will begin at 11:00 AM local time.
Both teams are in Group A, which includes India. Pakistan comes into the tournament in strong form after a 3–0 T20I series win over Australia, while the Netherlands has had mixed results recently and will need a strong team effort to challenge a powerful Pakistan side.
Pakistan are clear favourites due to their depth, recent form, and match-winning players in all departments. Their pace and spin attack should suit the conditions well. The Netherlands may put up a fight with fearless cricket, but they will need early breakthroughs to stay competitive. If you want to place a bet on this match, we’ve brought you the best match odds with a prediction and pitch report.
Pakistan vs Netherlands 1st Match Odds
Since Pakistan is in great form and has a relatively stronger team than the Netherlands, betting odds favour their win in the 1st match.
| Platform | NED Win Odds | PAK Win Odds | Toss Odds (NED) | Toss Odds (PAK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 3.5 | 1.32 | 1.9 | 1.88 |
| Stake | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.87 | 1.86 |
| 4RABET | 3.4 | 1.35 | 1.88 | 1.9 |
| BetVibe | 3.55 | 1.33 | 1.85 | 1.92 |
Pakistan vs Netherlands 1st Match Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Netherlands, 1st Match |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | February 07, Saturday |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
Pakistan vs Netherlands Squad
Let’s have a look at the squad of Pakistan and the Netherlands for the 1st match of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Pakistan Squad
Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Usman Khan (wk), Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Salman Mirza
Netherlands Squad
Max ODowd, Zach Lion Cachet, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Michael Levitt, Timm van der Gugten, Saqib Zulfiqar, Noah Croes (wk), Scott Edwards (c & wk), Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe
Pitch Report of Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Sinhalese Sports Club provided a batting-friendly pitch where a score above 180 is considered safe.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The pitch is generally flat and offers consistent bounce. As the match progresses, it slows down and supports spinners. |
| Batting Assistance | Batters get some help in the early overs, as scoring is easy. The ball comes off the bat well, making it easier to time shots. |
| Bowling Assistance | The surface strongly supports spin bowling throughout the match. Fast bowlers also play a role early on. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | The average first-innings total at this venue in T20 matches is 168 runs. |
| Toss Impact & Dew | Teams usually prefer to bowl first after winning the toss. Dew often appears in the second innings, which helps batters. |
Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | The temperature is around 31°C. |
| Weather | A thunderstorm is expected on the match day. |
| Precipitation | There is 45% chance of rain. |
| Humidity | Humidity will be 60-67%, which will cause fatigue. |
| Wind | Wind speed will be 23 km/h, helping seamers generate swing. |
Pakistan and Netherlands Head-to-Head In T20Is
Pakistan and the Netherlands have met twice in the shortest format, with Pakistan winning both games.
| Total Matches Played | 02 |
| Pakistan Won | 02 |
| Netherlands Won | 00 |
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Key Players To Watch
Since each team will have only 3 matches to book their place in the Super 8 stage, this match will be crucial for earning 2 points. These players will be the key for both teams to register the win.
| Players | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman (PAK) | 2385 runs in 117 matches at an average of 23.38. |
| Shaheen Afridi (PAK) | 128 wickets in 98 games at an economy of 7.70. |
| Saim Ayub (PAK) | 1228 runs and 24 wickets in 61 games. |
| Bas de Leede (NED) | 723 runs and 39 wickets in 45 matches. |
| Paul van Meekeren (NED) | 84 wickets in 77 T20I matches at an economy of 7.10. |
| Scott Edwards (NED) | 1226 runs in 82 games at an average of 22.70. |
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