Colombo, February 6, 2026 — The wait is finally over as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off, with the first match featuring Pakistan vs Netherlands on February 7 at 10:30 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the month-long tournament, which brings together twenty teams across five groups, all vying for the ultimate T20 crown.
Pakistan’s Outlook:
Pakistan, placed in Group A, enters the tournament with high expectations. Their only T20 World Cup title came in 2009, and since then, the team has had mixed fortunes. A group-stage exit in 2024 dented confidence, though a recent 3-0 whitewash against Australia at home has boosted morale. Key players include Babar Azam, who returns after a brief absence from T20Is, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, and Saim Ayub leading the batting charge. The bowling department features Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and a spin-heavy attack with Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq, well-suited for Sri Lankan conditions.
Netherlands’ Challenge:
The Netherlands have become a consistent presence in T20 World Cups since 2012. Led by Scott Edwards, the squad emphasizes homegrown talent, with Max O’Dowd and Michael Levitt providing batting strength, while Paul van Meekeren and Roelof van der Merwe lead the pace attack. Spin options are limited, but the pace unit is flexible and experienced.
Head-to-Head & Form:
Pakistan and Netherlands have met only twice in T20 World Cups, with Pakistan winning both encounters. Pakistan’s recent form in the last five T20Is is WWWLW, while Netherlands is LLLWW, setting the stage for a compelling opener.
With high stakes, strategic team combinations, and form battles, the opening clash promises edge-of-the-seat action as Pakistan looks to start their campaign on a winning note.