The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opens with Pakistan taking on the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on February 7, 2026.
This Group A encounter marks the tournament debut for both sides.
Pakistan enters with strong form after their 3-0 series sweep against Australia at home.
Netherlands qualified through the European pathway and faces a challenging opening assignment against Asian opposition.
PAK vs NED 1st Match Dream11 Prediction Today
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 begin their Group A campaign in the tournament opener. Pakistan faces the USA on February 10 at SSC, while Netherlands meets Namibia on February 11 in Chennai.
- Team Momentum – Pakistan arrives with confidence following their dominant home series victory against Australia. Netherlands brings European qualifying experience and aims to compete against higher-ranked opposition.
- Match Importance – Opening match results influence group stage momentum and net run rate calculations. Pakistan maintains a perfect T20I record against Netherlands heading into this encounter.
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 the second innings |
- Batting Conditions – The surface offers variable bounce with occasional low trajectory deliveries. Batters need time to settle before playing aggressive strokes. The ball comes onto the bat better as dew settles in the second innings.
- Bowling Conditions – Spinners extract grip and turn throughout the innings. Fast bowlers find movement with the new ball but reduced effectiveness later. Dew factor neutralizes spin advantage in the second half.
Weather Report
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 23°C – 32°C |
| Humidity | 70% – 79% |
| Rain Chances | Moderate |
| Overall Impact | Possible interruptions |
- Weather Impact on Match – Temperatures range from 28-30°C during the morning session. Scattered thunderstorms forecast for afternoon hours create potential interruption risks. Morning play should remain clearer with minimal disruption.
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first at SSC. The pitch assists spinners throughout both innings, but dew in the second half reduces their effectiveness significantly. Teams batting second benefit from improved surface conditions as moisture settles. Historical venue data supports fielding first strategy. The toss winner gains tactical advantage by chasing.
Injury Updates
- Pakistan Team Update – Salman Ali Agha captains a full-strength squad featuring Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The spin combination of Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed claimed 13 wickets against Australia. Shaheen returns after recovering from knee injury.
- Netherlands Team Update – Scott Edwards leads a balanced lineup mixing experience and youth. Roelof van der Merwe competes in his sixth T20 World Cup at 41 years old. Logan van Beek returns following strong performances in New Zealand’s domestic 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 contrasting form and experience levels between both sides.
Colombo’s spin-friendly conditions and dew factor influence tactical decisions.
Tournament opener creates pressure scenarios for both teams:
- Match Date – February 7, 2026
- Time – 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT
- Venue – Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
- Toss Importance – Bowling first provides strategic advantage
Also Check:
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Commentators List
- How To Watch ICC T20 World Cup 2026 In India
- ICC T20 World Cup Warm Up Matches 2026 Schedule
- ICC T20 World Cup Umpires 2026
- All Teams Squads for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming
- ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
- IND vs USA 3rd T20I WC 2026 Match Odds, Preview & Prediction
- IND vs USA 3rd Match Dream11 Prediction Today T20 WC
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