Nafay Set to Open as Pakistan Face Netherlands in T20 World Cup Opener

Pakistan starts its T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo

Pakistan is all set to begin its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a match against the Netherlands in Group A. They’ll play on February 7 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo. This first game of the 20-team tourney is important because it could change things up at the top of Pakistan’s batting order.

Word out of Colombo is that the team might shake things up by having young Khawaja Nafay open with Saim Ayub, a left-handed hitter who likes to attack. If this happens, Fakhar Zaman, a seasoned player, might not be on the team.

Why Nafay Could Open

Khawaja Nafay is only 23 and hasn’t played much internationally, just two T20s. But it seems the people in charge want to see how he does when the pressure is on, especially early in the game when you need to score quickly.

Putting Nafay at the top suggests Pakistan wants to try something new with their batting. Also, since he bats right-handed, he’d be different from Saim Ayub. Ayub’s aggressive style has made him a promising Pakistani player recently.

Fakhar Zaman Likely to Sit Out

If Nafay opens, it looks like Fakhar Zaman will sit this one out. No one questions Fakhar’s experience in big tournaments, but his recent performance and how the team fits together might have made the coaches think twice. Leaving out a more experienced player at the start of the World Cup shows that Pakistan is willing to try and win instead of going with reputation alone.

This decision shows that Pakistan’s cricket scene is trusting younger players more and more in important games.

Likely Team and Middle-Order

The team will probably be a mix of young guys and veterans when Pakistan takes on the Netherlands. Salman Ali Agha is expected to bat third and lead the team, with Babar Azam holding down the middle. Having Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Khan gives them more options, so Pakistan can change how they bat depending on the situation.

For bowling, Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the fast bowlers, with Faheem Ashraf and Salman Mirza backing him up. Abrar Ahmed will bowl spin to keep things under control in the middle. This team looks like it’s trying to stay balanced rather than just being super aggressive.

Free Entry Should Bring in Fans

Sri Lanka Cricket has said that fans can come to the Pakistan-Netherlands game for free. Gates five and seven at the SSC Ground will open at 9:30 am local time, so people can watch the first game without paying.

This should bring in a big crowd since Pakistan’s teams have a lot of fans in Sri Lanka. Locals often show up in droves for Pakistan’s matches, which makes for a fun atmosphere even when Sri Lanka isn’t playing.

Rain Could Be a Problem

Even though everyone’s excited about the first match, there are some worries about the weather. There’s an 83% chance of rain in the evening, with about 4.2 mm expected. If it rains, it could mess with Pakistan’s plans, especially since they want to start strong in a group where things are tight.

Rain could also make it harder for batters like Nafay to make a splash if he plays.

Pakistan vs Netherlands: The Record

Pakistan and the Netherlands have played each other twice in T20s, and Pakistan won both times. The Dutch haven’t won against Pakistan yet, but they’ve shown in recent tournaments that they can surprise you if you don’t take them seriously.

Pakistan says they’re ready and focused, especially against teams they don’t know as well.

Why This Tournament Matters

Since India and Sri Lanka are hosting the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan’s first game is extra important. Starting strong can help the team feel confident and figure out the right combinations, which makes decisions like starting Nafay even more important.

The game against the Netherlands is more than just a warm-up; it’s Pakistan’s first step in a tough group stage where every point counts. With young energy at the top, experienced players in the middle, and some good bowlers, Pakistan wants to start strong, if the weather lets them.