Faheem Ashraf drags unconvincing Pakistan over the line after big scare
Pakistan had the game in the bag, then lost five wickets between the 12th and 19th overs, before Faheem Ashraf emerged as their saviour in the T20 World Cup opener
07/02Result
1st Match, Group A, ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Colombo, Feb 7 2026
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![Netherlands]( "Netherlands")
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![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
148/7 (19.3/20 ov)
Player of the Match
07/02Result
1st Match, Group A, ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Colombo, Feb 7 2026
-
![Netherlands]( "Netherlands")
-
![Pakistan]( "Pakistan")
148/7 (19.3/20 ov)
Player of the Match
Match Day
'We should have potentially sent Pakistan home after today' - van Meekeren rues Netherlands' close loss
Netherlands bowler rues loss of key moments in the T20 World Cup opener with his side having been in positions of strength throughout the game
Pakistan do Pakistan things to start World Cup with a thriller
Pakistan turned a straightforward chase into a dramatic one before sealing a final-over finish against Netherlands
T20 World Cup 2026, Ned vs Pak match highlights - à €ÂčĂ Â€ÂŸĂ Â€Â°Ă Â„Â Ă Â€Âčà „Âà € à €Ÿà „Âà € à €ÂĂ Â„Â Ă Â€Â«Ă Â€ÂŒĂ Â€Âčà „Âà €Ÿ Ă Â€Â Ă Â€Â¶Ă Â€Â°Ă Â€Â«Ă Â€ÂŒ à €šà „ à €ÂȘĂ Â€ÂŸĂ Â€Âà €¿à €žà „ÂĂ Â€Â€Ă Â€ÂŸĂ Â€Âš à €Âà „ à €Âà „Âà €ÂČà „ à €Ÿà „ÂĂ Â€Â Ă Â€ÂĄĂ Â€ÂŸĂ Â€ÂČĂ Â€ÂŸ
Ned vs Pak, T20 World cup 2026 live score and updates - à €Ÿà „Âà € à €ÂĂ Â€ÂŸ à €ÂȘà „ÂĂ Â€Â°Ă Â€ÂŸ à €Âà €”à €°à „Âà € à €ÂȘà „ÂĂ Â€Â°Ă Â€ÂŸĂ Â€ÂȘà „Âà €€ à €Âà €°à €šà „ à €Âà „ à €ÂČà €¿à € à €Âčà €Ÿà „ÂĂ Â€Â Ă Â€Â«Ă Â€ÂŒĂ Â„Âà €ÂČà „ à €Âà „Âà €Âà €¿à €Â
Pakistan ask Netherlands to bat in T20 World Cup opener
"If there's any moisture we want to use that," Pakistan captain Salman Agha says of his decision to bowl first on a grassy SSC surface
Salman Agha: 'I've learnt how to put captaincy away when I go to bat'
Pakistan's captain said he supported Babar, Fakhar but didn't guarantee spots for players
Max O'Dowd feels Netherlands are 'as prepared as we have ever been'
Netherlands have caused an upset here and there in the past but O'Dowd is confident they are capable of inflicting more damage this time
The SSC finally steps out of the sunshine and into the floodlights
The venue in Colombo has not hosted a men's T20 international since 2010, and will have day-night matches for the first time during the 2026 T20 World Cup
Preview
In-form Pakistan take on undercooked Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2026 opener
The busiest team in T20Is in the last nine months faces a side that is short on preparation and versatility
Videos
ICC Men's T20 World Cup
| Super Eights, Group 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| SA | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2.259 |
| IND | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.106 |
| WI | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.993 |
| ZIM | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -3.415 |
| Super Eights, Group 2 | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| ENG | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1.096 |
| NZ | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1.39 |
| PAK | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -0.123 |
| SL | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.95 |
| Group A | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| IND | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 2.5 |
| PAK | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.976 |
| USA | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.788 |
| NED | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.217 |
| NAM | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -3.108 |
| Group B | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| ZIM | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1.506 |
| SL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1.741 |
| AUS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1.523 |
| IRE | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.15 |
| OMA | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -4.845 |
| Group C | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| WI | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1.874 |
| ENG | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0.201 |
| SCOT | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0.184 |
| ITA | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.02 |
| NEP | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.349 |
| Group D | |||||
| Team | M | W | L | PT | NRR |
| SA | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1.943 |
| NZ | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1.227 |
| AFG | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.889 |
| UAE | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1.364 |
| CAN | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -2.426 |