Pakistan opened their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a victory, chasing down 148 to beat the Netherlands by three wickets at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Solid death overs bowling to cap off a strong finish for Pakistan! 💪
Netherlands lose their last six wickets for 20 runs as they are bundled out for 147 🎯#PAKvNED | #T20WorldCup | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/Q3E2v3bF7t
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 7, 2026
Chasing 148, Pakistan were in a precarious position at 114 for 7 before Faheem Ashraf played a blistering innings of 29 from 11 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes to guide his side home. Shaheen Shah Afridi remained unbeaten on 5.
3️⃣ sixes and 2️⃣ fours in an explosive cameo for @iFaheemAshraf 💥
He wins it for Pakistan in the final over 👏#PAKvNED | #T20WorldCup | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/8vKMXe3SmO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 7, 2026
Earlier contributions came from Sahibzada Farhan (47), Saim Ayub (24), Babar Azam (15) and captain Salman Ali Agha (12). Shadab Khan made 8, while Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Khan were dismissed without scoring.
For the Netherlands, off-spinner Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren took two wickets each, while Vender Merwe, Logan van Beek and Kyle Klein claimed one apiece.
Netherlands batted first and were all out for 147 in 19.5 overs. Scott Edwards top-scored with 37, Bas de Leede made 30, Michael Levitt 24 and Colin Ackermann 20. Other contributions included Aryan Dutt (13), Zach Lion-Cachet (9), Roelof van der Merwe (4), Max O’Dowd (5), Logan van Beek (0), and Paul van Meekeren (0).
Solid death overs bowling to cap off a strong finish for Pakistan! 💪
Netherlands lose their last six wickets for 20 runs as they are bundled out for 147 🎯#PAKvNED | #T20WorldCup | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/Q3E2v3bF7t
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 7, 2026
For Pakistan, Salman Mirza was the standout bowler with three wickets, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed took two each, and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one wicket.
In the opening match of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first against the Netherlands.
Captain Salman Ali Agha said the decision to elect to field first was influenced by the conditions after recent rain, with the team looking to take advantage of the moisture in the pitch.
📸🪙©️
Pakistan are fielding first at SSC, Colombo 🏟️#PAKvNED | #T20WorldCup | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/4t7Dos9Y58
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 7, 2026
“We want to make use of the conditions after the rain,” Agha said. “It is the first time I have seen so much grass on a pitch in Sri Lanka”.
He added that Pakistan had opted to field three fast bowlers along with all-rounders in their playing XI.
Netherlands captain said his side would also have preferred to bowl first.
“This is a big game for us,” he said. “We have been playing in India and Sri Lanka for the past month and a half and are familiar with the conditions here.”
The match marks the start of both teams’ campaigns in the tournament.
Pakistan has been placed in Group A with India, the United States, Namibia and the Netherlands. Pakistan boycotted their scheduled fixture against long-time rivals India and will now take on the United States on February 10 and Namibia on February 18 at the same venue.
🚨 TOSS & PLAYING XI 🚨
Pakistan win the toss and opt to bowl first against Netherlands 🏏
Our team for the first match of the ICC #T20WorldCup 2026 🇵🇰#PAKvNED | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/4Y6mqLK2SY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 7, 2026
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(c/wk), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren.Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneWeb DeskRead More
