PAK vs NED T20 World Cup 2026 LIVE Cricket Score: Pakistan escape major scare to win by three wickets

And Pakistan have now won this. Faheem Ashraf guides Pakistan home with a four off the third ball of the over. Pakistan escape a major scare to win this by three wickets.

And that was what Pakistan wanted. Two sixes and two fours to collect 24 runs from the over. They now need only five from the final over.

Just four runs from that over despite Shaheen trying to go big over mid-off for only a couple. They are under pressure and need 29 runs from the final 12 balls.

Pakistan are up against the walls now. They are at 115/7 while chasing a modest total of 148. They need 33 from 18 balls with Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the middle. 

Oh my God, what are Pakistan doing here. They would be kicking themselves for how they have come into this position. They were already in trouble and are now in an even deeper hole as they lose Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan on back-to-back balls. 

While they have lost three wickets, Netherlands are not letting the scoring rate to drop. Bas de Leede is doig well, while Edwards is now alongside him. Netherlands are at 88/3 after 11 overs. Pakistan will look to keep taking wickets.

Pakistan strike once again as Abrar Ahmed comes and removes Colin Ackermann. This was a carrmon ball as it deceived Ackermann, who looked to work it on the leg side but plays it onto his stumps. Netherlands 66/3 now and in some trouble.

The first six overs are done, and Pakistan would be pleased that they have taken two wickets here. The Netherlands were off to a strong start with O'Dowd and Levitt putting on fireworks. But now both of them have been dismissed. Netherlands 50/2 after 6 overs.

Levitt has been dismissed here by Mohammad Nawaz as spin has been introduced early in this clash. What a combined effort this was from Babar Azam and Shaheen. This was hit down the ground as Babar, running from long-off, held it but relayed it to Shaheen as he was going beyond the ropes. Shaheen grabs and Pakistan get their second. Netherlands 36/2 after 5. 

Pakistan have got their first as Salman Mirza has dismissed Max O'Dowd. A short ball as O'Dowd went for the ull, ended up top-edging this as the keeper grabs it. 

Levitt is not sparing Shaheen here. Ever since his first four off him in the first over, he has been pressing the throttle against him. Levitt hit Shaheen for a four on the first ball of the third over before a brace. He then pulled Shaheen for the first six of the match and the tournament.

A four to kick start the proceedings by Levitt as he flicks Shaheen past square leg. O'Dowd then gets a four off an inside edge to the same region. Levitt then gets a four off Mirza in the first ball of the second over.

And off we go in Colombo. Shaheen Afridi with the new ball in hand. Levitt and O'Dowd to open the innings. Here we go.

The straight boundary from the South End is a long 82 metres, while the square and fine boundaries are noticeably shorter. There’s more grass on the pitch than usual, and it looks firm and well-prepared. Any early moisture has likely dried up, making this one of the better surfaces in Sri Lanka for pace and bounce. The new ball could offer a bit of nibble, and a total around 180 should be par.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Netherlands (Playing XI): Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(w/c), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren

"It's a good-looking wicket. Would've bowled, don't mind batting. For us, it's a big game, so are the other three. We've been in India and SL for a month and a half, used to the conditions. Plenty of allrounders and options for bowling and batting," Edwards said at the toss.

"Fresh pitch, rain around. We want to use moisture. First time I've seen this much grass I've seen in SL. We're pacing three pacers and allrounders. Netherlands are a good side, we want to execute out plans," Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said at the toss.

Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to bowl first. This is a green track, which is something Salman says he has not seen in Sri Lanka.

The players had arrived at the venue some time back. We have crossed the 10:30 AM toss time but the toss is coming up soon.

Conditions look favourable at the moment, though humidity is expected to play a significant role. Rain shouldn’t be a concern early on, but there’s a chance it could come into play later in the afternoon.

The opening day is an action-packed one with six teams in action. Pakistan will face the Netherlands in the tournament opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, from 11 AM onwards, while West Indies meet late entrants Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, at 3 PM. India will face the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai at 7 PM.

It's time for the T20 World Cup 2026 as Pakistan face the Netherlands in the first match of the tournament at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. The World Cup kicks off today with three matches lined up. West Indies and Scotland will face off later in the day, while India will also kick off their campaign in the tournament. But first up, the Pakistan vs Netherlands clash. So stay tuned with us, as I, Varun Malik, take you across this game in Colombo.