The T20 World Cup 2026 begins with the first match between Pakistan (PAK) and Netherlands (NED) tomorrow, Feb 7, 2026, at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. This match will be crucial for both teams to start with their first victory in the tournament. Pakistan have higher winning chances than Netherlands. Let’s break down expert analysis, betting tips, team performance, pitch report, and today’s PAK vs NED 1st match prediction. Who will win today’s match?
Pakistan vs Netherlands • 1st Match • T20 World Cup 2026
Match: PAK vs NED | 1st Match
Series: T20 World Cup 2026
Date: 07/02/2026
Time: 11:00 AM LOCAL & IST | 5:30 AM GMT
Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Streaming: Jio Hotstar & Star Sports Network
Team Performance
Pakistan: Team Preview & Performance
Pakistan head into T20 World Cup 2026 after a lot of buzz around the world over the political conflicts regarding whether they would participate or not in the T20 WC. They officially made the statement that they are participating in this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but will boycott the match with India. Pakistan look like a strong, balanced team in the tournament. In the recent series, they whitewashed Australia in a three-match T20 series on home ground. In the batting lineup, when the openers collapse, the middle-order batsmen explode when needed.
The all-rounders are strong, with captain Salman Agha leading the team as an all-rounder. In the bowling lineup, Shaheen Afridi leads the pace attack along with mystery spinner Usman Tariq, building one of the strongest teams in T20 WC 2026. In this match, they easily won against the Netherlands. They look strong to start the tournament with a victory.
Netherlands: Team Preview & Recent Performance
Netherlands start their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against Pakistan at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo. Scott Edwards’ team are known for pulling off upsets against bigger teams. In recently had a camp in Chennai to get ready for playing in subcontinent conditions.
Form-wise, they haven’t been great lately – lost to Zimbabwe by 29 runs in a warm-up game and also lost a series to Bangladesh. But you can’t write off this Dutch team. They’ve got excellent all-rounders – Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, and the experienced Roelof van der Merwe can all chip in with bat and ball. Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd open the batting and can score quickly when they get going.
This time NED looks stronger more than just beating one or two big teams. They’re aiming to make it to the Super Eight stage.
PAK vs NED Today’s Match Weather Condition:
- Temperature: 31°C
- Humidity: 68%
- Rain: 80% High chances of precipitation
- Wind direction: NNE
- Wind speed: 14–16 km/h
PAK vs NED Today’s Match Pitch Report & Condition
The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC)in Colombo is unveiling a freshly renovated “batting paradise” featuring a quick outfield and new floodlights. Expect a high-scoring contest with a par score of 170–180, where the pitch initially offers true bounce for stroke-play before slowing down to favour spinners like Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed in the middle overs. The toss is a tactical minefield; while the evening dew typically makes fielding first the “golden rule” to avoid a wet ball, both captains may feel the urge to bat first on this pristine surface before it potentially slows down later.
PAK vs NED – T20 Head-to-Head Records
Overall Head-to-Head
Total Matches Played: 2
Pakistan Won: 2
Netherlands Won: 0
Tie / No Result: 0
First-Ever T20 Match
Date: 9 June 2009
Venue: Lord’s, London
Result: Pakistan won by 82 runs
Most Recent T20 Match
Date: 30 October 2022
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets
PAK vs NED 1st Match Prediction
Pakistan are favourites to win today’s T20 WC 1st Match 2026.
PAK vs NED – Probable Playing XI (T20 WC 1st Match 2026)
Pakistan Predicted XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
Netherlands Predicted XI: Max O’Dowd, Michael Levitt, Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Scott Edwards (c), Bas de Leede, Zach Lion-Cachet, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren / Fred Klaassen
Also, check live T20 WC match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.
Pakistan vs Netherlands — Today’s Match Prediction
Match Scenario 1
Match toss prediction: PAK to win the toss and opt to bat first
NED scores: 140–150
Who will win today’s match: PAK to win today’s T20 WC 1st Match 2026
Match Scenario 2
Match toss prediction: NED to win the toss and opt to bat first
PAK scores: 180–185
Who will win today’s match: PAK to win today’s T20 WC 1st Match 2026
Today Match Winning Percentage
T20 Betting Tips for PAK vs NED 1st Match T20 WC 2026
- Who will win the toss Today: PAK to win the toss and elect to Bat first.
- Top Batter Performance: Saim Ayub
- Top Bowler Performance:Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Today’s T20 betting tips: Team batting first are safe bet to play today’s T20 WC 1st Match 2026.