Published on: Feb 5, 2026 6:25 pm IST | Updated on: Feb 5, 2026 6:23 pm IST
The 11th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup is upon us, and we are up for the opening game. The 2009 champions, Pakistan, will be in action against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the capital city of Sri Lanka, i.e., Colombo. This will be the first of the three games to be played on the opening day of the T20 World Cup 2026. West Indies vs Scotland and India vs USA are the other two games that will be played later in the day. In this post, we have compiled free expert tips for the 1st match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
The 2009 champions, Pakistan, will start as the outright favorites in the opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. They have never been beaten by Netherlands in a T20 World Cup match and will look to keep their record intact. The Netherlands heads into this World Cup with quite an experienced side, but going by the current form of Pakistan, they should have the win probability meter favoring them. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 1st match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
PAK: 93% win chance NED: 7% win chance
The Pakistan opener had a good time in the home series against Australia. The youngster accumulated 119 runs across three innings at a highly impressive strike-rate of 170. Expect him to contribute with both bat and ball in this match as well.
The Pakistan skipper has found his lost mojo with the bat after coming up the order at no 3. He finished the series against Australia with 120 runs from 3 innings, the most by any batter at a highly impressive strike-rate of 171. Expect him to dominate spin in Sri Lankan conditions yet again.
The Netherlands opener will be a clutch player at the top for the team. The right-hander has scored 275 runs in his last 9 innings at a fairly good strike rate of 138.
Young batter Levitt has scored 278 runs from his last 7 T20I innings at a brilliant strike-rate of 142.56. Expect him to score runs in this game.
Check out our prediction for the PAK vs NED 1st Match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
The stage is set for the 11th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, and the opening clash promises excitement as Pakistan take on the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Pakistan, crowned champions in 2009, enter the tournament with momentum on their side after a commanding 3-0 home series sweep against Australia. Their batting depth, explosive middle order, and versatile bowling attack make them strong favorites to begin their campaign on a winning note.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, face a daunting challenge. Historically, they have met Pakistan only twice in T20Is, and on both occasions, Pakistan emerged victorious. While the Dutch side has shown flashes of brilliance in past ICC events, consistency against top-tier opposition remains their biggest hurdle. Playing in Colombo’s humid conditions will test their adaptability, especially against Pakistan’s pace and spin arsenal.
For Pakistan, this fixture is an opportunity to stamp authority early in the tournament, while the Netherlands will aim to defy expectations and script an upset. With both teams eager to set the tone, fans can expect a competitive start to the World Cup, though Pakistan’s pedigree and form suggest they hold the upper hand.
The Netherlands arrive at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with a squad that boasts both experience and resilience. Over the years, they have built a reputation as giant-killers, famously defeating England in 2009 and South Africa in 2022. That history of upsets makes them a team no opponent can take lightly. With seasoned campaigners in their ranks and a balanced mix of batting depth and disciplined bowling, the Dutch side will look to challenge Pakistan in the opening clash at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club.
However, Pakistan’s current form tilts the win probability meter heavily in their favor. The 2009 champions are riding high after a dominant 3-0 series sweep against Australia, showcasing their batting firepower and versatile bowling attack. Their confidence and pedigree in ICC tournaments make them strong favorites to start the campaign with a win.
For the Netherlands, the key lies in executing their plans flawlessly, early wickets, sharp fielding, and fearless batting. If they can withstand Pakistan’s pressure and seize crucial moments, another upset could be on the cards. While Pakistan holds the upper hand, the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket ensures the Dutch will have their chance to dream big. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 2 NED won: 0 PAK won: 2 No Result: 0 Tied: 0 RECENT form NETHERLANDS: W W L L NR RECENT form PAKISTAN: AB L W W W
The Netherlands and Pakistan have collided only twice in T20 history. On both occasions, Pakistan has emerged victorious. They will look to dominate in this game as well.
How will the two teams, i.e., Pakistan and the Netherlands, fare in the 1st Match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026? Let’s take a look.
Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Zach Lion Cachet, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (C/WK), Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaasen, Logan van Beek, Paul van Meekeren
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st Match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 between Pakistan and Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo:
On a relatively new surface at the SSC, the toss could prove decisive. With the wicket expected to slow down later, both captains will eye batting first. Pakistan, with stronger batting depth, may prefer to bowl first to experiment, while Netherlands might back runs on the board. Expect a tactical call shaping the opening contest of this World Cup.
The online live streaming of the 1st Match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this World Cup will take place on Star Sports Network channels.
Having won 2 out of 2 games in T20I history against the Netherlands, Pakistan will start as the favorites in this game. They have had good preparation heading into this World Cup, as they clean-swept Australia 3-0 in a home series. The team looks confident and will be looking to secure a big win against the associate nation. Therefore, as per our prediction, Pakistan is expected to win the PAK vs NED, 1st Match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
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