Pakistan began its campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Netherlands in Sri Lankan capital today (Saturday) amid chances of rain.
Captain Salman Ali Agha is aiming to continue the team’s impressive recent form when they face the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo at 10.30 am (Pakistan Standard Time).
The 10th edition of the global tournament, jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India, will run from February 7 to March 8.
The Super 8 stage is scheduled to commence on February 22, while the semifinals will be played on March 4 and 5.
Since finishing as runners-up in the Asia Cup 2025, the Green Shirts have played 13 T20Is, winning 10 and losing only three.
Their confidence received a major boost after registering their first-ever T20I clean sweep over Australia in a three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
This World Cup will mark Salman Ali Agha’s debut as Pakistan captain in a major ICC event.
He has already led Pakistan in 43 T20Is, securing 27 victories and building a reputation for calm leadership and tactical clarity.
Historically, Pakistan has maintained a strong presence in ICC T20 World Cup competitions.
They won the title in 2009 and finished as runners-up in 2007 and 2022. Pakistan also reached the semifinals in 2010, 2012 and 2021.
Overall, Pakistan have won 30 out of the 51 matches they have played in the tournament’s history.
Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Kh M Nafay (wicketkeeper), M Nawaz, M Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.
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.
