Despite losing seven wickets, Pakistan still managed to steal a thrilling victory over Netherlands in the chase of 148. In the 19th over, Pakistan needed 29 off 12 balls when Faheem Ashraf went bonkers and scored 24 runs against Logan van Beek. In the last over, Faheem hit a boundary to take Pakistan across the line. 

Pakistan (148/7) defeated Netherlands (147 all out) by three wickets in the T20 World Cup 2026, Group A opener on Saturday in Colombo. 

WOAH!! This match is definitely going down to the wires. Faheem Ashraf brings Pakistan back into the game. In the previous over of Logan Van Beek, Faheem hits three massive sixes and a boundary as the Dutch bowler leaks 24 runs. Pakistan now need five runs to win in the last over. 

PAK 143/7 (19 overs)

Pakistan are in deep trouble now. With Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf at the crease, they now need 29 off 12 balls to win. Can they do it or will Netherlands register a historic win? Only time will tell. 

PAK 119/7 (18 overs)

OUT!! Another wicket gone for Pakistan and this time, Logan Van Beek removes Shadab Khan for six. Shadab looks to brush it off but the ball hints the tiny edge of the bat as Scott Edwards takes a good catch behind the stumps. Seventh wicket gone for Pakistan. 

PAK 114/7 (16.1 overs)

OUT!!! Gone!!! Kyle Klein dismisses Mohammad Nawaz for six as Pakistan lose their sixth wicket. Nawaz mistimes a shot as the ball hits the edge and goes up in the air. Wicketkeeper Scott Edwards then makes a terrific effort and grabs a good catch. 

PAK 114/6 (16 overs)

From a blistering start to a sudden collapse, Pakistan are in a spot of bother right now. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are slowly trying to bring five-down Pakistan back in the game but Netherlands are the dominant ones. 

PAK 111/5 (15 overs)

Oh!! It looks like Paul van Meekeren has picked up a hamstring injury while bowling. The physio rushes to the ground and quickly checks on the bowler. 

PAK 106/5 (13.5 overs)

Oh! Another wicket gone for Pakistan and this time, Babar Azam becomes Roelof van der Merwe's prey and departs for 18-ball-15. Babar mistimes a shot as the ball lands straight into the hands of Kyle Klein. Half of the Pakistan's team is back in the dugout as the momentum shifts now.

PAK 100/5 (12.4 overs)

WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE? As we were talking about Pakistan's fiery performance, Paul van Meekeren enters the chat and turns the game upside down. He first dismisses the strong Sahibzada Farhan for 47. Farhan gets caught by Roelof van der Merwe at the long-on. Two balls later, he cleans up Usman Khan for duck. A double-wicket maiden as Pakistan go 4 down. 

PAK 98/4 (12 overs)

Babar Azam finally gets a boundary. He plays a good shot on Bas de Leede's delivery. A full delivery from Bas de Leede, Babar puts it away simply as the ball crosses the boundary line for a four. 

PAK 96/2 (10.4 overs)

Sahibzada Farhan has breached the 40-run mark and inching closer towards his half-century. Pakistan are dominating the innings as they have reached 90 in just 10 overs. The duo of Farhan and Babar Azam is propelling Pakistan to a big win. 

PAK 90/2 (10 overs)

Sahibzada Farhan is playing a brilliant knock and guiding Pakistan towards a big victory. In the previous over of Paul van Meekeren, he hit two boundaries as the Dutch bowlers leaked 11 runs. Good batting from Farhan. 

PAK 76/2 (8 overs)

After the dismissal of Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam joins hands with Sahibzada Farhan at the crease. However, Babar is struggling for runs, while Farhan is getting boundaries. This match is a good opportunity for Babar to fight against his lean patch and get some runs for Pakistan. 

PAK 65/2 (7 overs)

OUT!! What an eventful over this one is. After getting hit for two boundaries and a six, Aryan Dutt dismisses Salman Ali Agha for 12. Agha makes room to cut again. Isn't in control of his shot on this occasion. Fails to keep it down and picks out cover-point. Michael Levitt crouches to reverse-cup it. 

PAK 53/2 (4.5 overs)

50 up for Pakistan already. The duo of Sahibzada Farhan and Salman Ali Agha is dominating the innings. In the first four deliveries of Aryan Dutt's over, Farhan hits a boundary and a six, while Salman gets a four. Pakistan crossed the fifty run even before completing five overs.

PAK 53/1 (4.4 overs)

Despite losing the wicket of Saim Ayub, Pakistan are refusing to slow down. Skipper Salman Ali Agha joins hands with Sahibzada Farhan at the crease and starts dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Kyle Klein, Salman hits two boundaries as the pacer concedes 11 runs. 

PAK 38/1 (4 overs)

OUT!!! Aryan Dutt bounces back in style and puts an end to Saim Ayub's good knock. In search of another six, Ayub hammered it hard again. But this time, his shot lacked timing and it landed into the hands of Roelof van der Merwe. First wicket gone for Pakistan. 

PAK 27/1 (2.4 overs)

WOAH! Saim Ayub is looking in excellent touch with the bat today. After hitting a big six in the first over of Aryan Dutt, Ayub unleashes his wrath on Logan Van Beek. In the second over of the pacer, he hits a hattrick of boundaries. In total, Beek leaks 13 runs/ 

PAK 22/0 (2 overs)

Pakistan with run chase of 148 on a fiery note. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan score nine runs in the first over of Aryan Dutt. This include a massive six from Saim Ayub. Good start from Pakistan.

PAK 9/0 (1 over)

Hello and welcome to the second innings of the T20 World Cup 2026 match between Pakistan and Netherlands. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have started the proceedings for Pakistan in the chase of 148. On the other hand, Aryan will be bowling the first over for Netherlands.

Netherlands have been bundled out for 147 against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026, opening match. For Netherlands, skipper Scott Edwards became the top-scorer with 37 runs, while Bas de Leede scored 30. For Pakistan, Salman Mirza took three wickets while Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each. Pakistan now need 148 runs to win. 

OUT! Another blow for Netherlands and this time, Shaheen Afridi gets his first wicket in the form of Roelof van der Merwe for four. Roelof hits it towards the cover for a boundary but Salman Ali Agha makes a terrific attempt to take a good catch. Eighth wicket gone for Netherlands. 

NED 139/8 (18.4 overs)

Saim Ayub enters with a bang and completely turns the game upside down. In his first over, he first removes Logan van Beek for duck. Van Beek suffers a soft dismissal as he gives a catch back to Ayub. Two balls later, Ayub dismisses Zach Lion Cachet for 9. Netherlands are now seven wickets down. 

NED 129/7 (16.4 overs)

OUT!!! Abrar Ahmed gets his second wicket of the day and this time, he removes the mighty Scott Edwards for 37. Edwards hammers it hard for a six but gets caught by Sahibzada Farhan at the long-on. Fifth wicket gone for Netherlands. 

NED 127/5 (16 overs)

Netherlands are getting a solid partnership from Scott Edwards and Zach Lion Cachet. In the previous over of Mohammad Nawaz, the duo scored 11 runs. This include one boundary from both the batters. Terrific partnership as Netherlands aim to post a huge total. 

NED 123/4 (15 overs)

OUT!! Mohammad Nawaz gets a big wicket as he dismisses Bas de Leede for 30. After getting hit for a boundary and a six, Nawaz redeems himself with a wicket in the same over. Bas de Leede tries to get a lofted shot but fails to place it properly as Babar Azam takes a good catch. Fourth wicket gone for Netherlands. 

NED 105/4 (12.4 overs)

WOAH!!! Netherlands have crossed the 100-run mark in 12 overs. They crossed the mark in style as captain Scott Edwards hammered a huge maximum on the first delivery of Mohamaad Nawaz's over. Terrific batting from Netherlands. 

NED 100/2 (12.1 overs)

Half of the Netherlands' innings is over and the match is very much balanced. Pakistan have taken three quick wickets but Netherlands have also managed to come closer to the 80-run mark in 10 overs. Currently, Bas de Leede and captain Scott Edwards are forming a partnership and taking the team towards a good total. 

NED 79/2 (10 overs)

OUT!!! Abrar Ahmed bounces back in style and gets a wicket for Pakistan. After getting hit for a boundary, Abrar makes a good comeback as he cleans up Colin Ackermann for 20. Ackermann tries to get a boundary but the ball hits the inside edge and then rattles the stumps. Third wicket gone for Netherlands. 

NED 65/3 (8 overs)

FOUR!!! Colin Ackermann gets a beautiful boundary on Shadab Khan's delivery. Full and drifting in towards middle, Ackermann is down on one leg to sweep it fiercely through square leg. 

NED 58/2 (7 overs)

Despite losing the wickets of their openers, Netherlands are not going on the backfoot and comfortably getting boundaries. The duo of Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann joined hands at the crease and this time, Salman Mirza faced the wrath. In the previous over of the pacer, the duo scored 14 runs, which include two boundaries from Ackermann and one boundary from de Leede. With this, Netherlands have crossed the 50-run mark in the powerplay. 

NED 50/2 (6 overs)

OUT!!! What a fielding from Babar Azam!! Michael Levitt hammers it hard on Mohammad Nawaz in search of a six. Babar runs towards it and grabs the ball before stepping across the boundary rope. He timely releases the ball before Shaheen Afridi reaches the spot and completes the catch. The third umpire also confirm that it's an out. Second wicket gone for Netherlands. 

NED 31/2 (4.2 overs)

OUT!!! Salman Mirza draws the first blood and provides Pakistan with the wicket of Max ODowd for 5. Max looks to play pull shot but the ball hits the top edge and goes up in the air. The wicketkeeper Usman Khan runs fast and grabs a stunning catch to dismiss Max. 

NED 28/1 (3.1 overs)

SIX!!! Michael levitt thrashes Shaheen Afridi and gets a huge maximum in his over. Levitt stands tall to dispatch it over deep backward square leg with a thumping pull shot. Shaheen looking a bit clueless now. 

NED 26/0 (2.3 overs)

Michael Levitt does it again and gets a boundary on the very first delivery of Shaheen Afridi's second over. With this, he has now joined the elite list, featuring the great Chris Gayle. 

First ball hit for 4s of every T20 World Cup

2007 - Chris Gayle (WI) vs Shaun Pollock (SA), 4 runs

2009 - Ravi Bopara (ENG) vs Dirk Nannes (NED), 4 runs

2012 - Dilshan Munaweera (SL) vs Kyle Jarvis (ZIM), 4 runs

2024 - Aaron Johnson (CAN) vs Ali Khan (USA), 4 runs

2026 - Michael Levitt (NED) vs Shaheen Afridi (PAK), 4 runs

FOUR!!! After stealing a boundary from Shaheen Afridi, Michael Levitt gets another one from Salman Mirza. On the first delivery of the second over, Levitt makes a good use of the pace and the width. He patiently waits and hits it hard towards the cover for a four. 

NED 13/0 (1.1 overs)

Netherlands are off to a terrific start against Pakistan. Openers Michael Levitt and Max ODowd score nine runs in the first over for star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. This include one boundary from both the batters. 

NED 9/0 (1 overs)

The T20 World Cup 2026 finally begins. Pakistan are all set to take on Netherlands in their Group A match. For Netherlands, Michael Levitt and Max ODowd have opened the proceedings. On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi will be bowling the first over for Pakistan. 

Players of both the teams are out on the field for their respective national anthems. The T20 World Cup 2026 opening match between Pakistan and Netherlands shall begin shortly. Stay tuned with us for all the live updates. 

Netherlands (Playing XI): Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(w/c), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.

"We would have bowled first as well, but happy to bat first. You have four matches and you got to win three. We've been in India and Sri Lanka for the last month and a half now. Plenty of all-rounders, plenty of options for bowling and batting," said Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards.

"We would look to field first. If there's any moisture, we want to use that. We are playing three seamers. They are a very good side. We want to execute our plans," said Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. 

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha wins the toss, opts to bowl against Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2026, Group A opening match in Colombo. 

Asked if Pakistan would be under huge pressure due to the impending pull-out, Max O'Dowd replied: "Look, to be honest, I don't have much to say about Pakistan boycotting against India, that's completely out of our control. We just kind of focus on what we're doing, what we need to do tomorrow, which is to try and beat Pakistan.

The "perceived" pressure on Pakistan after deciding to boycott the game against India is of no concern to the Netherlands opener Max O'Dowd, who says his team is firmly focused on winning its T20 World Cup opener against Salman Ali Agha's men.

Time        Chances of rainfall

11:00 AM        5%

12:00 PM        8%

1:00 PM        60%

2:00 PM        68%

3:00 PM        60%

4:00 PM        30%

Another growing concern for Pakistan ahead of the match is the weather in Colombo. According to forecasts, the city is expected to witness heavy rainfall during the day. Although the sun is currently shining, weather reports suggest that rain clouds are likely to roll in as the day progresses, potentially disrupting play.

Asked how he would deal with the situation, Salman told reporters: "By just avoiding that. It's something we, as a group, we don't really talk about and we don't really see what's happening outside in the group. And I think that's the best we can do. We can avoid all this and just focus on our game."

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Friday said the team will try to shut out the off-field noise surrounding its planned boycott of the India match and instead focus on winning remaining group games to qualify for the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage.

Led by head coach Mike Hesson, Pakistan sit sixth in the T20 team rankings. They will be captained by Salman Ali Agha, who is deftly handling increased attention on Babar Azam, who has returned to the squad having been dropped for the Asia Cup, where Pakistan finished as runners-up to India.

Pakistan will be looking to put their previous T20 World Cup campaign behind them. The 2009 champions failed to get out of the group stages for the first time after defeats to rivals India and newcomers the USA. They will hope it is just a blip, having reached the final and the semi-finals in their two appearances before 2024.

With Pakistan boycotting their league game against India as a show of solidarity for the ousted Bangladesh, they would have to win all their remaining three games starting with the one against Netherlands in order to qualify for the Super Eights.

Pakistan, who won the title in 2009, are coming into the tournament in the wake of their decision to boycott the February 15 group game against arch-rivals India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel to India citing security concerns.

Since its inception in 2007, T20 World Cup has produced thrilling games and treated the cricket fans with loads of entertainment. Now, the tournament has reached its tenth edition and the excitement among the fans knows no bounds. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the T20 World Cup 2026. The opening Group A match is between Pakistan and Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. Stay tuned for all the live updates.