The Netherlands scored 123-4 in 15 overs against Pakistan in the opening match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha asked the Dutch team to bat first. The Netherlands got off to a positive start, with opener Michael Levitt hitting a four from the very first delivery of the match.
The Netherlands continued to score smoothly, scoring 28 runs in the first three overs without losing a single wicket.
Pakistan got a much-needed breakthrough when Salman Mirza dismissed opener Max O’Dowd (5), who attempted a pull shot but ended up taking the first scalp of the tournament.
Levitt (24), who looked dangerous at the crease, was then dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz after a brilliant reflex catch from Babar Azam, with Shaheen Afridi completing the catch near the boundary.
Abrar Ahmed took a wicket in his first over, removing Colin Ackermann, who scored 20 runs. At 65-3, captain Scott Edwards linked up with Bas de Leede, and the duo formed a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
The partnership was eventually broken by Nawaz, who dismissed de Leede (30) and left the Dutch squad with four.
After 15 overs, the Netherlands were 123-4.
Pakistan and the Netherlands have faced each other twice in the past, with the Men in Green emerging victorious on both occasions, while the Flying Dutchmen were left without a victory.
Pakistan has been drawn in Group A alongside India, the US, Namibia and the Netherlands. The Green Shirts have boycotted their match against arch-rivals India and are now set to face the United States and Namibia at the same venue on February 10 and 18.
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.
The 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.
This is a developing story and will be updated with further details.
