ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan vs Netherlands - team analysis, strengths and weaknesses

Pakistan, the 2009 winners will face off-field distractions but boasts Saim Ayub's all-round capabilities. The Netherlands, known for upsets, relies on versatile player like Roelof van der Merwe.

Pakistan will take on Netherlands in the opening match of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opener between Pakistan and the Netherlands, scheduled on February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, will present a fascinating contrast between a cricketing powerhouse in transition and a rising associate nation. Before the 2009 T20 World Cup winners take on the Dutch side, here is a detailed look at the squads, their strengths, and weaknesses.

How to watch Pakistan vs Netherlands, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match online?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Pakistan vs Netherlands, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match live on Jio Hotstar, accessible via OTTPlay Premium.

Current scenarios of Pakistan and the Netherlands

Pakistan are coming into the tournament under their new captain, Salman Ali Agha, who had a great outing as a leader against Australia in the recent series. But, recently, off-field controversy and distractions have followed the Pakistani side, more than the on-field success.

Not handing India the Asia Cup trophy, followed by announcing a boycott of the group stage match against India, and pushing Bangladesh Cricket to go against the ICC and ask for a change of venue, which eventually led to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in the World Cup, Pakistan did not have a great outing outside the field.

Despite the off-field distractions, Pakistan still remains a formidable side, especially on Asian conditions, where they will be feeling like home in Sri Lanka, where they will get assistance from the spinners.

Meantime, the Netherlands have been in and around as one of the best nations and has created a few upsets in mega events. They will do another miracle as Pakistan is sometimes vulnerable against associate nations. This will be the Netherlands’ seventh appearance at the tournament.

Netherlands had stunned hosts England in the opening game in the 2009 edition and will look to do the same when they take on Pakistan on 7th February.

Read also: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Squad of every nation

Squad analysis - Pakistan vs Netherlands

Like every other tournament, Pakistan will like to build their game around their high-calibre pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, who will try to dismantle the Dutch top order as early as possible.

Alongside them, ICC No. 1-ranked T20I all-rounder Saim Ayub will be a key member in the squad if Pakistan wants to succeed in Sri Lanka. Ayub's ability to dunk the ball at the top of the order, along with his mystery spin, will be handy during the entire T20 World Cup.

In sprint-friendly, low-bounce conditions, Sadab Khan's leg spin will be a key factor as well. Along with him, Abrar Ahmed's mystery spin, which already had the Australian side bamboozled, will be another X-factor during Pakistan's journey in the tournament.

But the main challenge would be in the batting lineup, where they somehow lack the striking ability at the top of the order. Fakhar Zaman might be the one to take on the bowlers, while Babar Azam would look to provide a stabilising anchor, which sometimes goes against Pakistan's flow batting.

Sahibzada Farhan’s top-order batting and Usman Khan’s hitting down the order will be a key factor for them too.

On the other hand, the Netherlands, led by experienced Scott Edwards, will arrive in the tournament with a reputation for punching above their weight in ICC events.

Their squad is built on the versatility of all-rounders like Bas de Leede and Logan van Beek, who had a great outing in the warm-up match against Zimbabwe.

Along with Scott Bass and Logan, the key player for the Dutch side will be former South Africa all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe, whose experience and ability to perform under clutch conditions will come in handy against better opposition.

Squads

Netherlands: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O'Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq

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