The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins with Pakistan facing the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on February 7, 2026.
This Group A opener features the 2009 champions against European qualifiers in a high-stakes tournament debut.
Pakistan arrives with strong momentum after sweeping Australia 3-0 at home, while the Netherlands qualified through Europe’s competitive pathway.
PAK vs NED 1st Match Dream11 Prediction Today
The match sets the tone for both teams’ campaign trajectories in the tournament.
Pakistan vs Netherlands Match Preview
| Match | Date | Time | Venue | Series | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan vs Netherlands | 07 February 2026 | 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Group A – 1st Match |
- Tournament Context – Both teams open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns in Group A. Pakistan next faces the USA on February 10, while Netherlands meets Namibia on February 11 in Chennai.
- Team Momentum – Pakistan enters with confidence following their 3-0 home series victory against Australia. Netherlands secured qualification through the European pathway and brings tournament experience through several veterans.
- Match Importance – Opening match victories provide crucial momentum in group stage scenarios. Pakistan seeks to maintain their perfect T20I record against Netherlands, who aim for an upset against Asian opposition.
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | Spin-friendly with variable bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 145–155 runs |
| Bowling Advantage | Spinners dominate, seam early |
| Dew Impact | Helps batting in second innings |
- Batting Conditions – The surface offers variable bounce and low trajectory at times. Batters require patience to settle before accelerating. The ball comes onto the bat better as the match progresses, particularly in the final 10 overs.
- Bowling Conditions – Spinners control the middle overs with grip and turn. Fast bowlers extract movement with the new ball but struggle later. Dew neutralizes spin effectiveness in the second innings.
Weather Report
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 23°C – 32°C |
| Humidity | 70% – 79% |
| Rain Chances | Moderate |
| Overall Impact | Possible interruptions |
- Weather Impact on Match – Morning temperatures hover around 28-30°C during play. Scattered thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon create interruption risks. The morning session should remain clearer than the later hours.
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first at SSC. The pitch assists spinners throughout, but dew in the second innings neutralizes their effectiveness.
Teams chasing benefit from improved batting conditions as moisture settles on the surface. Historical data shows teams bowling first maintain better win percentages at this venue. The toss winner gains a strategic advantage by fielding first.
Injury Updates
- Pakistan Team Update – Salman Ali Agha leads a full-strength squad after their dominant Australia series. The spin duo of Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed claimed 13 combined wickets in that series. Shaheen Shah Afridi returns from knee injury recovery to spearhead the pace attack.
- Netherlands Team Update – Scott Edwards captains a balanced squad mixing experience and youth. Roelof van der Merwe participates in his sixth T20 World Cup at age 41. Logan van Beek returns after strong domestic performances in New Zealand’s Super Smash competition.
Pakistan vs Netherlands Head-to-Head Records In T20Is
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 2 |
| Pakistan Wins | 2 |
| Netherlands Wins | 0 |
| Last Meeting | T20 World Cup 2022 |
Last T20I Meetings
- Pakistan won by 6 wickets – 30 October 2022 – T20 World Cup, Perth
- Pakistan won by 82 runs – 9 June 2009 – T20 World Cup, Lord’s
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Why Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | PAK | Batter | Consistency and big-match temperament |
| Saim Ayub | PAK | Opener | Explosive powerplay scoring |
| Shaheen Afridi | PAK | Bowler | New-ball wicket threat |
| Max O’Dowd | NED | Opener | Reliable top-order anchor |
| Bas de Leede | NED | All-rounder | Dual-point potential |
Conclusion:
The Pak vs ned 1st match dream11 prediction today t20 wc highlights Pakistan’s experience advantage against the Netherlands’ qualification credentials.
The Colombo pitch favors spin bowling while dew assists chasing teams.
Tournament opener dynamics create pressure scenarios for both sides:
- Match Date – February 7, 2026
- Time – 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT
- Venue – Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
- Toss Importance – Bowling first provides a strategic advantage
Also Check:
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- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Tickets
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Commentators List
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