The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off with a Group A clash between Pakistan and the Netherlands on February 7, 2026. This match marks the start of the 10th edition of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams will compete across 55 matches, with the final scheduled for March 8 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Pakistan enters as the 2009 champions, looking to reclaim glory, while the Netherlands aims to cause an early upset. This guide covers everything you need to know about watching the match live in your region.
PAK vs NED 1st T20 World Cup Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Netherlands (1st Match, Group A) |
| Date | February 7, 2026 |
| Time | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| Format | T20 International |
| Series | ICC T20 World Cup |
PAK vs NED Live Streaming & Broadcast
Here is a region-specific list of broadcasting and live streaming platforms.
| Region | TV Channel | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | SS Cricket | SuperSport |
| India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Geo Super | Myco, Tapmad, Tamasha |
| UK | Sky Sports | Sky Go, NOW |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow.tv |
| Australia | – | Amazon Prime Video |
| Middle East | – | StarzPlay |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog TV, TV Supreme | – |
| Caribbean | ESPN | – |
Note: Streaming subscriptions and free-to-air options depend on regional rights agreements. Check official broadcaster websites for exact pricing and availability closer to the match date.
Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan holds a dominant record against the Netherlands in T20 cricket. The two teams have met twice in the shortest format, with Pakistan winning both encounters.
Their most recent meeting came during the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, where Pakistan secured a six-wicket victory after bowling out the Netherlands for just 91 runs.
| Teams | Matches |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | 2 |
| Netherlands | 0 |
Pakistan Squad
Salman Ali Agha leads Pakistan in this tournament. The squad features star batter Babar Azam, the all-time leading run-scorer in men’s T20Is. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah form a strong pace attack, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz provide spin options.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq
Netherlands Squad
Scott Edwards captains the Netherlands with several experienced campaigners returning to the squad. Roelof van der Merwe and Bas de Leede add depth with their all-round abilities. Max O’Dowd provides stability at the top of the order, while Kyle Klein and Fred Klaassen lead the bowling attack.
Netherlands Squad: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O’Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar
Pitch Report of The Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo
The Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo is one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious cricket venues. Known as “the Lords of Sri Lanka,” the ground has undergone major upgrades for this World Cup, including new LED floodlights and improved player facilities.
The SSC pitch typically offers a balanced surface with something for both batters and spinners. Early on, pace bowlers can extract some movement. As the match progresses, spinners receive more assistance from the wearing surface. Teams batting first have historically enjoyed success here. Expect scores in the 160-180 range to be competitive.
How to Watch for Free
Some regions may offer free-to-air coverage through official broadcast partners. In Sri Lanka, TV Supreme provides free coverage following its partnership with Dialog Television. Mobile users in India may access matches through JioHotstar’s mobile-only plans at reduced rates.
Unofficial streams are not recommended, as they violate broadcasting rights and pose security risks.
VPN Information
Travelers away from their home country may use VPN services to access their regular streaming subscriptions. Always follow local digital laws when using such services. This guide does not promote or recommend any specific VPN provider.
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Key Players to Watch
- Pakistan: Babar Azam (batting), Shaheen Shah Afridi (pace bowling), Shadab Khan (spin)
- Netherlands: Max O’Dowd (batting), Bas de Leede (all-rounder), Roelof van der Merwe (spin)
