PAK vs NED Match Prediction : 1st Match, ICC Menās T20 World Cup, 2026
PAK vs NED Win Probability
38%
Pakistan
62%
Netherlands
Pakistan To Win, 1.03
Pakistan has a flawless record, winning all five T20I matches they have played against the Netherlands.
The Men in Green enter this tournament with massive momentum after a 3-0 clean sweep against a powerful Australian side.
The conditions will favor Pakistan with only rain threatning to play spoilsport
PAK vs NED Betting Tips
The first dismissal of the contest to be caught
As openers look to exploit the powerplay field restrictions, the risk of mistiming a lofted shot increases. High-risk shots often lead to catches in the circle or on the boundary.
The first legal delivery of the contest to be a dot ball
Tournament openers often start with a hint of nerves. We expect the opening batters to proceed cautiously, taking a moment to assess the surface rather than attacking immediately.
Team form (Last 5 matches)
Pakistan
Netherlands
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off onĀ February 7th, 2026. The tournament opener features Pakistan taking on the Netherlands at the historicĀ Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Below, we break down the match prediction, pitch report, betting tips, and probable playing elevens.
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Pakistan vs Netherlands Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have faced each other in 5 games to date. Pakistan has completely dominated this rivalry, winning every single contest.
Pakistan vs Netherlands Live-streaming and Broadcast
| Country | TV Channel | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar App |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Ten Sports | Myco App, Tamasha App |
| Australia | ā | Amazon Prime Video |
| England (UK) | Sky Sports (Cricket/Main Event) | SkyGO, NOW, Sky Sports App |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow by Cricbuzz App |
| West Indies | ESPN Caribbean | ESPN Play Caribbean |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Sri Lanka | Maharaja TV (TV1, Sirasa, Shakti) | ICC.tv / Maharaja TV Website |
| Bangladesh | Nagorik TV | Toffee |
| UAE & MENA | CricLife MAX | StarzPlay, StarzON |
You can find live odds, updated tips after every day's play, and more information about this match at ocbsports.com.
PAK vs NED Team Previews
Pakistan
This is the first game of the competition for both teams, but Pakistan arrives in arguably the best form it has been in for a long time. They recently demolished an Australian unit 3-0 and even though it was missing some key players, no Aussie team is easy to beat.
Mohammad Nawaz was the architect of that destruction, claiming a five-wicket haul. He has been in lethal form, taking 18 wickets in his last 10 contests at an average of 11. His presence in potentially spin-friendly conditions is going to be crucial.
Saim Ayub will lead the batting charge; he top-scored with 56 in the last match and has accumulated 267 runs in his last 10 games at a strike rate of 136.22. With Salman Agha (260 runs in 10 matches @ SR 166.66) and experienced campaigners like Babar Azam and Shadab Khan in the mix, Pakistan's lineup looks formidable.
The pressure is going to be on Pakistan as their forfeiture against India leaves them no room for any errors.
Pakistan Expected Playing 11
Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
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Netherlands
The Netherlands outfit enters this contest on shaky ground, coming off two defeats and a no-result against Bangladesh. While they secured wins against lower-ranked sides like Guernsey and Italy, they struggled against full-member opposition.
In their recent outing, they were bowled out for a meager 103, which Bangladesh chased down with 9 wickets to spare.
The Dutch will rely heavily on Michael Levitt, who has been a rare bright spot, scoring 278 runs in his last 7 matches at an average of 39.71. He will need support from Max O'Dowd, who averages 45.83 in his last 9 games.
On the bowling front, Kyle Klein leads the attack with 12 wickets in his last 8 matches, while the veteran Roelof van der Merwe remains a key asset with his experience. If you just look at the cricketing credentials of the two teams, it is easy brush away the Netherlands.
However, pressure on the big stage can sometimes open up strange paths to victory! We don't think you should bet on the Netherlands but keep some funds handy for an in-play punt if things start going sideways.
Netherlands Expected Playing 11
Max O'Dowd, Noah Croes, Michael Levitt, Scott Edwards (c)ā , Logan van Beek, Vikramjit Singh, Saqib Zulfiqar, Kyle Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren, Roelof van der Merwe.
PAK vs NED Toss Prediction
Not many T20 internationals have been played recently at the Sinhalese Sports Club. However, considering modern T20 trends and the potential for dew later in the evening, we expect the captain winning the toss to field first.
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The wicket at the SSC ground in Colombo generally favorsĀ spinners, fitting the sub-continental profile. While the track will be batting-friendly initially, it is expected to slow down and offer grip as the game progresses.
- Alert:Ā There is a possibility of rain interruptions, which could bring DLS calculations into play.
- Weather:Ā Temperatures will hover around 26 degrees.
PAK vs NED: Who Will Win?
The gap in quality between these two sides is significant. Pakistan is a full ICC member with a lethal bowling attack and batters who are currently firing on all cylinders. The Netherlands, while spirited, lacks the firepower to trouble a Pakistan side fresh off a series sweep against Australia.
Pakistan should by all counts be able to win this easily.
Bet on Pakistan to win.
