The Pakistan Playing XI vs Netherlands Playing XI marks a clash between an Asian giant and a minnow. However, this would be Pakistan’s first opportunity to play with their final playing XI in the World Cup, so that they can finalise a team before the much-anticipated clash against India.
Pakistan will be eyeing to better their chances in the ICC tournament, especially after they have been placed mostly against minnows in Group A, and can easily make it to the Super-8 stage from the group, irrespective of the result of the match between India and Pakistan.
This article provides the probable playing XIs of Pakistan and the Netherlands for the First T20I World Cup clash in 2026, alongside the likely player combinations and crucial players to watch out for at the iconic Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Pakistan Playing XI vs Netherlands Playing XI, Match No.1 – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan Playing XI vs Netherlands – ICC T20 World Cup
Openers: Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan
Pakistan players Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are among the two most dynamic cricketers currently in the Pakistan cricket team. While Saim Ayub has been a constant run-scorer at the top of the batting order, Sahibzada Farhan went on to be promising after a series of good scores in the Asia Cup.
Middle-Order Batters: Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz
Salman Agha has been promoted in the batting order, and ever since then, he has been scoring runs with great fluency. He will be followed by the veteran batter Babar Azam, who finally scored a half-century in the final T20I against Australia.
Usman Khan, the wicket-keeper batter, might be the first-choice keeper in the side, but Khawaja Nafay will be a constant threat to his position. The explosive gloveman will be backed by all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf/Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed
Alongside the three spin bowling all-rounders in Saim Ayub, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan, Pakistan will look to the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf for their pace bowling deck. On the other hand, Abrar Ahmed remains the frontline spinner alongside Shadab Khan.
Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf/Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed.
Netherlands Playing XI vs Pakistan – ICC T20 World Cup
Openers: Max O’Dowd and Vikramjit Singh
Max O’Dowd remains one of the strongest batting options in the Dutch lineup. The opening batter has been one of the staunch run-getters, while on the other hand, Vikramjit Singh finds himself at the top of the order, despite not having piled on a lot of runs in recent times.
Middle-Order Batters: Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (C/wk), Bas de Leede, Saqib Zulfiqar
Colin Ackermann returns to the playing XI for the Netherlands in the ICC T20 World Cup, while captain Scott Edwards adds some fireworks in the middle order. They will be followed by the likes of all-rounders Bas de Leede and Saqib Zulfiqar, who are crucial to the side with both bat and ball.
Bowlers: Kyle Klein, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren and Roelof van der Merwe/Noah Croes
Logan van Beek and Jyle Klein are undoubtedly among the batters who have done some scoring with the bat and can be placed under the bowling all-rounders category for the Dutch side. Aryan Dutt and Roelof van der Merwe bring in a blend of experience alongside some quality spin. Paul van Meekeren, who now plays franchise T20 cricket globally, will be crucial with the new ball.
Netherlands Playing XI: Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (C/wk), Bas de Leede, Saqib Zulfiqar, Kyle Klein, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren and Roelof van der Merwe/Noah Croes.
