ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan vs Netherlands | Match 1 | Group A | Colombo | February 7 | Pre-Match Discussion

[BouncerGuy]

Realistically

Babar is a liability.

Are we thinking about beating netharlands is a tough task??

 

[Rana]

Are we thinking about beating netharlands is a tough task??

It’s cricket

Can’t rule out anything. Although I don’t see them doing much against Pakistan spinners Abrar, Saim, Nawaz and potentially Agha.

 

[BouncerGuy]

It’s cricket

Can’t rule out anything. Although I don’t see them doing much against Pakistan spinners Abrar, Saim, Nawaz and potentially Agha.

Exactly... I hope we do good... No rains please

 

[Usman Chadda]

Are we thinking about beating netharlands is a tough task??

They have decent spinners who can trouble us, possibly the strongest of the three minnow teams in our group.

 

[Devadwal]

They have decent spinners who can trouble us, possibly the strongest of the three minnow teams in our group.

There are four Minnow in group A - Netherlands, USA, Namibia and Pakistan.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Aryan Dutt has number on Babar

 

[Usman Chadda]

There are four Minnow in group A - Netherlands, USA, Namibia and Pakistan.

Ask Ashwin about that

 

[Devadwal]

Ask Ashwin about that

I'm giving my opinion. For me, Pakistan has become another Minnows team which we beat badly 9 out of 10 times .7-0 since 2023 Asia cup

 

[BouncerGuy]

TALK ABOUT THE MATCH..

NO PERSONAL REMARKS

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Farhan
Saim
Agha
?
Usman
Nafay
Nawaz
Shadab
Faheem
Abrar
Shaheen

Both Babar and Fakhar look like poor options at #4

 

[BouncerGuy]

Farhan
Saim
Agha
?
Usman
Nafay
Nawaz
Shadab
Faheem
Abrar
Shaheen

Both Babar and Fakhar look like poor options at #4

Babar over fakhar any day in current form.. IN t20s, fakhar is overrated..

 

[Devadwal]

Farhan
Saim
Agha
?
Usman
Nafay
Nawaz
Shadab
Faheem
Abrar
Shaheen

Both Babar and Fakhar look like poor options at #4

Batting depth till 9 yes but lower middle ( starting from Dubai khan) is fragile, one day they can score 200 but another day they can bundled out for 130 runs. Not a single reliable player.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Batting depth till 9 yes but lower middle ( starting from Dubai khan) is fragile, one day they can score 200 but another day they can bundled out for 130 runs. Not a single reliable player.

It's much better than previous T20 World Cup squad and also spin attack is very good.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Our spinners are looking good and we have good couple of batsman who are in good form. Come on Pakistan.

 

[Devadwal]

It's much better than previous T20 World Cup squad and also spin attack is very good.

We will know very soon.

 

[hur rizvi]

What’s the weather forecast?

 

[Human786]

AUS - Netherland game delayed due to rain ... a forfeited game , couple of washouts , return home early for PAK I guess .

 

[hassan918]

What’s the weather forecast?

 

[hamzie]

Saturday weather looks ok

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

What will Naqvi and ICC do if rain washes out our games?

From what I’m seeing of this dude, probably take a hair dryer machine to the grounds Rambo style screaming “Main tera tota tota kar danga” with Maula Jat music in the background.

At which point the rain gods will vamoose and the ground will dry itself.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Also I don’t know why but I think I’ll be watching this game, a game that a few weeks ago I’d have barely known about in a million years….

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Weather is fine, you just need 5 overs for a completed match, we will get a match

 

[shah9425]

Hopefully rain stay away

And Babar also stay on bench

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

It shows rain starting after 1.30 local time, the game should be over by then right?

 

[Bilal7]

Imagine if the game against Netherlands gets washed out, the PCB/Pak government decide at the last minute to play against India and then we absolutely go Mughal/Delhi Sultanate on their overrated team.



Ya Allah, let this happen because it would be so funny.

 

[Bilal7]

This team should play the first game:

1) Saim
2) Babar
3) Salman
4) Fakhar
5) Usman (wk)
6) Nafay
7) Shadab
8) Nawaz
9) Faheem
10) Shaheen
11) Abrar

 

[hur rizvi]

What’s the weather forecast

USA scored 201 against New Zealand and 200 against India A in the warm-up matches.

In the last World T20, USA defeated Minnow Pakistan. #JustSaying

True. USA are favourites for that one

 

[Dr_Bassim]

If Pakistan lose to Netherlands or it gets rained off, I think Pakistan might reverse the India boycott.

If however, Pakistan wins, they will continue to puff their chest.

I just don't know how they would potentially not play a Pakistan India final if it happens, and if this position is temporary just to annoy India for group game..

 

[CricVet]

According to the latest forecast, there MIGHT not be any rain after this evening shower in SL for next 12+ hours. There is a strong likelihood of a full game

 

[SportsWarrior]

easy win loading for Pak.. good luck

 

[BouncerGuy]

Hoping for a full game. The forecast looks encouraging for the morning game.

 

[RahulBose]

Imagine if the game against Netherlands gets washed out, the PCB/Pak government decide at the last minute to play against India and then we absolutely go Mughal/Delhi Sultanate on their overrated team.



Ya Allah, let this happen because it would be so funny.

lol, the team that lost to USA.

 

[Bhaijaan]

It's disrespectful, brother.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Agha 100 is loading in this WT20

 

[adi_62941]

The only thing which can save Pakistan in this tournament is there spin department.
Saim, Abrar, nawaz and usman are the main players with ball in hand

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

According to the latest forecast, there MIGHT not be any rain after this evening shower in SL for next 12+ hours. There is a strong likelihood of a full game

Yes looking forward to a dominant win by Pakistan to make a statement

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Really hope we have a full game. I think Pakistan have a very good chance especially the way Saim and Salman are batting, Shadab and Nawaz are looking very good. Babar looking iffy and Usman playing decent.

Spinners are looking brilliiant, Saim, Abrar, Shadab, Nawaz and Usman. Shaheen looked amazing last game.

I am excited!

 

[RidiculousMan]

Looking at Group A teams and forms. Aside from India I think USA have it in them to challenge Pakistan again. Their squad is not bad. Some of their folks have participated in various leagues and have done well.

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Looking at Group A teams and forms. Aside from India I think USA have it in them to challenge Pakistan again. Their squad is not bad. Some of their folks have participated in various leagues and have done well.

Think they can play our spin? Spin looks in good form and Shaheen looked really good last game.

 

[Sachin fan]

Think they can play our spin? Spin looks in good form and Shaheen looked really good last game.

If it rains, pitch might not grip and spin so much

 

[Ball Blazer]

Pakistan to begin ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on Saturday​

Salman Ali Agha will be hoping to carry his side’s winning momentum when he captains Pakistan in the 10th edition of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which starts in Sri Lanka and India on 7 February.

The 2025 Asia cup runners-up will kick-start their journey in the 2026 World Cup on Saturday against Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, with the first ball to be bowled at 11:00am local time (10:30am PKT).

The tournament runs from 7 February to 8 March, with the Super 8s beginning on 22 February, the semi-finals scheduled on 4 and 5 March.

Salman will be making his mega-event debut. So far, he has captained Pakistan in 43 T20Is, winning 27 of those.

Since the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025, Green Shirts have played 13 T20Is, out of which, they have won 10, losing just three. Most recently, Pakistan registered their first-ever T20I clean sweep over Australia in a three-match T20I series held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Following the series, both Australia and Pakistan teams departed for Colombo on 2 February and their solitary warm-up games were washed out. In the meanwhile, Pakistan have taken part in two extensive training sessions.

Among Pakistan players, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan have featured in previous editions of the tournament.

Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha:

“We’ve come here to win the tournament, like every other team, and we expect our fans to back us as they always have. We’ll give our absolute best to win this World Cup.

“We’ve been playing really good cricket and haven’t lost a bilateral series since the Asia Cup. We’ve lost very few matches and the 3-0 clean sweep against Australia was a huge morale booster. We’re hoping to carry that momentum into the World Cup.

“Any team that qualifies for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is competitive. We’re not taking anything lightly; every team in our group is capable. Every player knows their role, the squad is well settled, and we hope to give our best in every game and win the tournament.

“We haven’t played the cricket we’re capable of in recent global events, but our focus is on playing the brand of cricket we’ve shown in recent times and bringing the trophy home.”

Alongside lifting the trophy in 2009, Pakistan have finished runners-up twice (2007 and 2022) and have reached the semi-finals in 2010, 2012 and 2021. In 51 matches Pakistan has played to date in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it has won 30.

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

First round groups:

Group A – India, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan and USA

Group B – Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe

Group C – England, Italy, Nepal, Scotland and West Indies

Group D – Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and UAE

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

 

[CricVet]

View attachment 161375

I saw that in the updates. If won the toss, chase.

 

[Kianig89]

So amid all the drama chaos and lunacy, Pakistan to kickoff their campaign tomorrow. Hopefully the weather stays clear as they cannot afford any hiccup

 

[Human786]

View attachment 161375

Win toss & bowl looking at the forecast ... would PAk like to play more pace heavy attack looking at the conditions ?

 

[CricVet]

Win toss & bowl looking at the forecast ... would PAk like to play more pace heavy attack looking at the conditions ?

Keeping 2 pacers is good enough - Shaheen and Salman. Alrounder Faheem is there as a third option. Our spin of Abrar, Shadab, and Saim is good enough with Salman Agha as 4th option.

Pak is very well suited for SL conditions.

 

[CricVet]

Weather update still has 2nd half prediction to be

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Pakistan better wrap up the game quick. If you can't beat minnows Netherlands in 3 hours what are you even doing there?

 

[shamaan]

Saim
Farhaan
Agha
Naffy
Usman khan
Fakhar
Shadab
Nawaz
Shaheen
Naseem
Tariq

If they think it's going to be a shortened game then Babar should not be in the xi

 

[hur rizvi]

Seems like a shortened game on cards

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Weather is looking better - showing rain after 2.30pm

 

[RidiculousMan]

Pakistan better wrap up the game quick. If you can't beat minnows Netherlands in 3 hours what are you even doing there?

Bowling first might be the way to go.

It not only allows Pakistan to potentially catch up with the game in case of rain. But also allows our bowlers to clean their batting and then chase quickly before the rain arrives. Not to mention a boost in NRR. Which Pakistan might need.

 

[imranq]

Taking into account that we are already 1 loss in, 1 rainout and we are out. Lets hope the weather plays well.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bowling first might be the way to go.

It not only allows Pakistan to potentially catch up with the game in case of rain. But also allows our bowlers to clean their batting and then chase quickly before the rain arrives. Not to mention a boost in NRR. Which Pakistan might need.

TBH I don't want to predict because you never know with this team. They could gun down 120 in 12 overs or 19.4

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Pakistan will really need to be alert of the NRR situation for all their games as they can't afford to slip at all in any game.

They have to win comprehensively and keep their NRR strong enough as most times we see they don't even have a clue or what they can do with their NRR.