Pakistan (148/7) defeat Netherlands (147) by 3 wickets in a tense last-over thriller in the opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

[shah9425]

Usman Khan 0(2)
Shadab Khan 8(12)
M Nawaz 6(13)
But let's only Blame Babar Azam

Because others are not king

 

[khyberlion]

The way he froze against India with the ball will be on his mind forever. As soon as pressure comes in his mind will suddenly start going over and over that moment. You need a good sports psychologist to recover from such a blow and ensure you can block it out.

It is human nature. We all experience it.
, but in the sports field you need help to get over it.

Agreed, also the Zimbabwe game too in that WC. He looks great when the stakes are low but the moment there an once of pressure when looses it.

 

[Aami]

mistake to play Dubai Khan, he is not a international level player. nafay is better option than him .

Saim
Farhan
Agha
Babar
Fakhar
Nafay WK)
Nawaz
Faheem
Abrar
Tariq
Shaheen

Or they can play Shadab instead babar .

To be honest, none of Babar and Fakhar should be there. ...

 

[Human786]

POTW surely .
33 req from 17 - should get this but a shameful performence .

game ended on expected lines .

 

[globetrotter]

Pakistan saved by dropped catch

 

[PakHammer]

Shadab should replace Babar at number 4 in the next game. Nafay to come in the team. They won't drop Usman yet. Fakhar can only open, he is wasted in the middle order.

 

[Kriketer]

Pakistan usually are slow starters in such tournaments, but this performance summed up why they have regressed as a cricket team. Mental sweatshow panics with the bat on the pitch has cost Pakistan far too many games and it was visible again today.

But hey while BCCI is ruining cricket and not helping the game expand at global stage, Pakistan is the only country that keeps giving hope to minnows to keep playing cricket and keep them motivated to show up

 

[Mas-LFC]

Wins a win. Doesnt matter how you win. Pak just needs the weather to remain good for all remaining matches.

 

[sweep_shot]

@sweep_shot Bring out the dancing gifs

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan start off with a win. Well done.

Next game is against USA.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Minnowesque performance by Pakistan.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Faheem Ashraf’s cameo of 11-ball 29 ensured Pakistan survived a late scare to achieve the 148-run target with three balls to spare against Netherlands in the opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Saturday afternoon.

With 29 required from the final two overs, Faheem clobbered three sixes and one four off the penultimate over which fetched 24 runs, before hitting one over covers in the final over to seal the win with three wickets in hand

Earlier, Pakistan opening batters provided their side with a brisk start as Saim Ayub departed after a quick-fire 24 off 13 balls aided by four fours and a six. Top-scorer Sahibzada Farhan fell three runs short of his ninth T20I fifty, scoring 47 off 31, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Pakistan were 61-2 after the powerplay and cruising at 98-2 after 11 overs. However, the Green Shirts lost five wickets for the next 16 runs, slipping to 114-7 after 16.1 overs.

For Netherlands, Aryan Dutt and Paul van Meekeren bagged two wickets each.

After being put in to bat, Netherlands were dismissed for 147 in 19.5 overs, with captain Scott Edwards top-scoring with a 29-ball 37 that included four boundaries.

The Dutch got off to a decent start as they scored 31 in 4.1 overs, led by opener Michael Levitt’s quick-fire 24 off 15 balls (three fours,one six), while Bas de Leede contributed 30 off 25 with four fours.

Mohammad Salman Mirza (3.5-0-24-3) provided Pakistan with the breakthrough, after which the spinners kept the scoring in check through the middle overs. With Netherlands on 127-4 in 15.5 overs, Abrar Ahmed (4-0-23-2) sparked a late collapse by removing Edwards.

From there, Netherlands slumped to 147 all out, losing their last six wickets for 20 runs with Saim taking two wickets in his only over, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one and Salman Mirza added two more to wrap up the innings.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan beat Netherlands by three wickets at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo

Netherlands 147 all out, 19.5 overs (Scott Edwards 37, Bas de Leede 30, Michael Levitt 24, Colin Ackermann 20; Mohammad Salman Mirza 3-24, Saim Ayub 2-7, Abrar Ahmed 2-23, Mohammad Nawaz 2-38)

Pakistan 148-7, 19.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 47, Faheem Ashraf 29 not out, Saim Ayub 24; Paul van Meekeren 2-20, Aryan Dutt 2-33)

Player of the match – Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan)

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Pakistan pulled it off on the end but you can’t run a whole campaign on Livin’ On A Prayer vibes.

And yeah, while as an Indian fan I’m very happy to see him in your team, in all seriousness Babar should go.

You could hear the underlying hilarity, sarcasm in the commentator’s tones - even Wasim, Ramiz - when Babar was playing.

Most everyone seems to know it - except the Pakistani selectors

 

[finalfantasy7]

I would have played Nafay instead of Faheem here... Faheem might not even bowl more than 1 over today... Useless.

Faheem to the rescue

 

[RexRex]

Pakistan pulled it off on the end but you can’t run a whole campaign on Livin’ On A Prayer vibes.

Bon Jovi's 'Living On A Prayer' is the team song in their dressing room which Babar Azam croons out after every game.

 

[Technics 1210]

Pakistan should treat this WC as 2 weeks holiday at Disney World.

Keep it fun and don't forget the family photos!

 

[Major]

Netherland has a population of 18 million, yet that one drop catch disappointed 1B Netherland supporters

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

 

[sweep_shot]

View attachment 161400

What an idiotic thing to say.

Never liked Netherlands. They are also pretty mannerless in football (was taunting Messi during 2022 WC; Argentina eventually eliminated them).

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

View attachment 161400

Pakistan dominated the game and gave you a chance to claw back and win for 6-7 overs, and you blew it. If anything Pakistan nearly lost the game against themselves. Have some humility instead of acting like a p*ick.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

What an idiotic thing to say.

Never liked Netherlands. They are also pretty mannerless in football (was taunting Messi during 2022 WC; Argentina eventually eliminated them).

Let's not equate the statement of one idiot with the rest of the team. As far as we know they are a good group of guys trying their best to do well for their country.

 

[sweep_shot]

Let's not equate the statement of one idiot with the rest of the team. As far as we know they are a good group of guys trying their best to do well for their country.

You are correct.

Anyway, Netherlands have a track record of being very mannerless in football. Was involved in some heated matches over the years (2006 WC encounter with Portugal, 2010 WC encounter with Spain, 2022 saga with Messi etc.).

Battle of Nuremberg (2006 FIFA World Cup) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

They are kind of quiet in cricket I guess due to them being associates.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Van meekren is correct.They got the game in the bag. Sitter dropped. Then two tailenders next. Game was gone for al money.

 

[BDfanforever]

NED is is #1 ranked side in FIH Hockey, #7 in Fifa, and #13 T20I. Thats really really good for a small country with small population.

 

[mango_bite77]

Shadab should replace Babar at number 4 in the next game. Nafay to come in the team. They won't drop Usman yet. Fakhar can only open, he is wasted in the middle order.

Shadab at number 4 is insult to international cricket

 

[sweep_shot]

Shadab at number 4 is insult to international cricket

Why not play Hassan Nawaz over Shadab at #4?