After giving Pakistan a tough fight in their opening match, the Netherlands cricket team arrived in Delhi for their next T20 World Cup 2026 game against Namibia.

The team was warmly welcomed upon arrival, with officials offering coconut drinks and a traditional greeting at their hotel. The gesture reflected India’s customary hospitality for visiting international teams.

The Dutch players are now focusing on adapting to the conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, as they prepare to bounce back in their second group-stage match.

Watch the video here:

🚨 Netherlands cricket team gets a warm welcome in Delhi

After giving Pakistan a tough fight, the Netherlands cricket team received a warm welcome on their arrival in Delhi ahead of their next clash against Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2026. 🇳🇱🏏 pic.twitter.com/l7zEK5iFnG

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) February 9, 2026

Netherlands Narrowly Lose to Pakistan

The Netherlands lost to Pakistan in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 7 in Colombo. It was a close game, with Pakistan winning in the final over with three balls to spare. Pakistan first restricted the Netherlands to 147 runs.

While chasing, Pakistan started strong, but from the 11th over, the match turned in the Netherlands’ favour as Pakistan went from 98/2 to 114/7, losing five wickets for just 16 runs. However, Faheem Ashraf changed the game in the 19th over, helping Pakistan secure the win. Pakistan needed 29 runs off 12 balls when Ashraf attacked Logan van Beek.

Also read -Watch: “We were the better team...” – Star Netherlands pacer makes bold statement after narrow loss to Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026

Dutch Team Reflects on the Loss

After the match, Paul van Meekeren praised his teammates for their effort. He said the team did not score as many runs as they wanted but showed strong fighting spirit. He added that their never-give-up attitude pleased him and that catches are very important in winning matches.

Van Meekeren also said that the Netherlands lost due to their own mistakes. He said, “I want to be very clear, Pakistan didn’t win the game today; we lost the game against ourselves.” He added, “We were the better team today, especially in bowling, and we should have deserved to win.”

Netherlands Prepare to Face Namibia

In Match 10 of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Netherlands will face Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, on Tuesday. Despite the loss in Sri Lanka, the Netherlands arrive with renewed confidence, having shown they can challenge higher-ranked teams.

Namibia, led by Gerhard Erasmus, will be a different challenge — a disciplined team known for tight bowling in the middle overs and taking advantage of key moments in the game.

Dutch pacer Paul van Meekeren said the Netherlands lost to Pakistan because of their own mistakes in the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 7 in Colombo. It was a close game, as Pakistan won in the final over with three balls to spare. Pakistan first restricted the Netherlands to 147 runs.

While chasing, Pakistan were in a strong position early. From the 11th over, the match turned in the Netherlands’ favour as Pakistan slipped from 98/2 to 114/7, losing five wickets for just 16 runs. However, Faheem Ashraf changed the game in the 19th over and helped Salman Ali Agha’s side win the match. Pakistan needed 29 runs off 12 balls when Faheem attacked Logan van Beek.

Speaking after the match, Van Meekeren praised his teammates for their effort. He said the team did not score as many runs as they wanted but showed strong fighting spirit. He added that the never-give-up attitude pleased him and said that catches are very important because catches win matches.

Watch the Video here:

Paul Van Meekeren on Pakistan’s victory. pic.twitter.com/1R0mTwv1ld

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 8, 2026

Van Meekeren Blames the Netherlands’ Own Mistakes

Paul van Meekeren clearly said that the Netherlands lost the match because of their own errors. He said, “I want to be very clear, Pakistan didn’t win the game today; we lost the game against ourselves.” The Dutch pacer added that his team was better on the day, especially with the ball. “We were the better team today, especially in the bowling department, and we should have deserved to win that game,” he said.

Also read -Watch: Star PBKS player gets run out in a 'unique' way during NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 match

Dropped Catch Was the Turning Point

Explaining the key moment, Van Meekeren pointed to the dropped catch in the final stages. He said, “It’s probably quite clear, the dropped catch in the end.” Talking about the final over, he added, “They needed 29 in that last over, probably the last real recognised batter that’s in. First ball goes for six and you drop the catch, and then after that it’s six-six-four, something like that.”

The Netherlands pacer admitted the defeat was hard to accept. He said, “Everyone who’s got a bit of brains in cricket probably knows that that catch is probably where we lost the game.” Van Meekeren felt his team should have finished the job and added, “We deserved to win that game, and we should have sent Pakistan home after today.” The Netherlands will now travel to India to face Namibia on February 10 in Delhi.

After restricting the Netherlands to 147, Pakistan walked out with a clear message—this chase wasn’t meant to linger. From the very first over, the intent was unmistakable: dominate early, erase any doubt, and finish the contest as quickly as possible.

Opening the innings, Saim Ayub came out swinging, scoring 24 off just 13 balls at a strike rate of 184.62. his approach was unapologetically aggressive. The chase wasn’t about accumulation; it was about assertion.

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But in trying to force the issue even further, confidence crossed into overconfidence. saim Ayub was clearly slogging in an attempt to finish the chase quickly, but the dismissal came down to an overconfident shot selection. With Pakistan already well in control, Ayub went for an unnecessary no-look slog, sacrificing awareness for flair. The intent was understandable, but the lack of restraint proved costly as a thick edge ended his promising cameo prematurely.

Watch the video here: 

Saim Ayub tried a No-look shot and got out trying to flex against Netherlands. Only these guys can pull off something like this 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/IIFKkw3Uh0

— Suprvirat (@Mostlykohli) February 7, 2026

Saim Ayub was cruical wicket in run chase

The incident became one of the most replayed clips of the day. Fans debated whether Ayub’s confidence should be applauded or criticized. Some admired his fearlessness, others questioned his judgment. In the age of viral cricket moments, Ayub’s no-look shot will live on as both entertainment and caution. 

While the intent was never in question, the dismissal served as a timely reminder that in international cricket, calculated aggression matters as much as confidence—because even in a comfortable chase, one careless moment can change the narrative.

Pakistan and the Netherlands will get the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 underway when they face each other in Match 1 on Saturday, February 7, at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. Both teams will be eager to start the tournament with a win and set the tone early.

Pakistan come into the World Cup in good form after a confident clean sweep against Australia in a recent three-match T20I series. Under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green are fully aware of the significance of each group match more so with points and net run rate holding huge importance. It is important to have a good start so they can gain momentum early on in the tournament.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency in T20 cricket in recent times. The Dutch side has not managed a win in their recent 20-over matches, including warm-up games. However, a World Cup opener presents a fresh opportunity, and they will be keen to surprise Pakistan and gain confidence early in the tournament.

PAK vs NED: Head-to-Head in T20Is

• Matches Played: 2
  
• Pakistan Won: 2
  
• Netherlands Won: 0
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

PAK vs NED: Pitch Report

The Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo will host a T20I match after a long gap. With renovations having been made and new floodlights put up, conditions are expected to be good. However, both teams will have to check the pitch before finalizing their strategies for the match.

See Also: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: IND vs USA Today Match Prediction – 3rd Match, Who Will Win Today?

PAK vs NED: Predicted Playing XIs

Pakistan (PAK):

Salman Ali Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Khawaja Nafay, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

Netherlands (NED):

Scott Edwards (c & wk), Max O'Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Michael Levitt, Saqib Zulfiqar, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen

The Netherlands have scripted one of the most heart-warming stories in women’s cricket, sealing their maiden qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 after an unbeaten run at the Global Qualifiers in Nepal.

The historic moment was confirmed with a 21-run victory over the USA via the DLS method at the rain-hit TU Stadium. Chasing 130, the Dutch were cruising at 90 for two in 12 overs when rain halted play. With the par score comfortably surpassed, celebrations began early - and memorably - as players dived joyfully onto the soaked covers, fully aware they had just changed the course of Dutch women’s cricket.

From associate underdogs to World Cup debutants, the Dutch women turn belief into history

Led by captain Babette de Leede, the Netherlands were flawless throughout the tournament. They topped Group B with wins over Zimbabwe, Scotland, Nepal and Thailand, before beating the United States women's cricket team in their first Super Six match to seal qualification with two games to spare.

Watch the video:

The Dutch Women have just done a celebratory dive on top of the rain soaked covers at TU Stadium in Kathmandu. Today's result, a 21-run DLS win over USA, means they're going to the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/orDS7LUJXb

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) January 28, 2026

Netherlands women's captain Babette de Leede:

"We're one of the few countries with no contracts at all. We're an Associate country, where cricket is very small, but we made sure that everyone bought into this dream, and our dream has come true"#T20WorldCup #WT20WCQ pic.twitter.com/i1VacVgPet

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) January 28, 2026

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What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the context. Speaking after qualification, de Leede highlighted the uphill battle faced by her side, noting that the team operates without central contracts in a country where cricket remains a minority sport. Yet belief, unity and commitment to a shared dream carried them through.

The 2026 edition will feature 12 teams and be hosted in England and Wales from June to July. Alongside the Netherlands, Bangladesh women's cricket team also booked their place, while Scotland, Ireland, the USA and Thailand continue to battle for the remaining spots.

For the Netherlands, this qualification is more than just a tournament entry - it’s a powerful statement that dreams in associate cricket can, and do, come true.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the two superstars and veterans of Indian cricket, are always regarded as the best players of world cricket. They have scored runs across formats in various places which has inspired many players in the future. Netherlands players are no different, and a newly published video has gone viral across social media platforms.

Netherlands have released a video where the first player went with Virat Kohli, the former captain, who is the third leading run-getter of the ODIs with over 14k runs in 290 innings at an average of around 58 and a strike rate of 93.34 with the help of 51 centuries and 74 half-centuries at the best score of 183 runs.

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Max O’Dowd goes with the premier Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, who is a top bowler of world cricket across the three formats. Another player selects Afghanistan spinner, Rashid Khan, while another pick the Australian seamer, James Pattinson. The spinner is widely renowned for his classical skills.

Watch: Netherlands’ players name their best player they have ever played

Another Netherland player decides to pick the left-handed South Africa opening batter, Quinton de Kock, while another Dutch player picked England opening batter, Alex Hales. Both these players have already retired from international cricket partially. One of the players went with the former Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, who has been out of the national side’s ODI and T20I set-up.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Netherlands Cricket (@kncbcricket)

Both Rohit and Kohli have retired from the longest and shortest formats for the game in a span of nine months. They will be back in the three-match ODI series against Australia, which will begin on October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. These three encounters will be incredibly vital for both of them to remain in the scheme of things ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Netherlands featured during the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in the first week of September in Sylhet. In the video, most of the Dutch players looked to prepare themselves in the nets for the upcoming series.  

Vivian Kingma, a fast bowler from the Netherlands, has been suspended for three months by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after testing positive for a recreational drug in an ODI match against the United Arab Emirates earlier this year.

The 30-year-old seamer provided an in-competition sample after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Utrecht, on May 12, 2025, which tested positive for Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. According to the ICC Anti-Doping Code, its presence in his system identifies him as having committed an anti-doping violation because it is classified as a Substance of Abuse.

Kingma accepted the charge and explained that he had taken the substance out of competition. While his admission did lead to Kingma avoiding a lengthier sanction, the ICC confirmed the violation and implemented a suspension.

Kingma will serve a period of ineligibility for three months from August 15, 2025. However, the suspension can be reduced to one month if Kingma completes a rehabilitation or treatment programme approved by the ICC. The ICC also confirmed that all of Kingma’s results from the ODI match on May 12, 2025, and all subsequent applicable matches, have been disqualified in accordance with the ICC Anti-Doping Code.

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ICC suspension sidelines Netherlands seamer after positive test

Kingma has been a crucial component of the Dutch bowling attack since his international debut back in 2013. Although known for swinging the ball with the new ball, he has played ODIs and T20Is for the Netherlands, including appearances at major ICC tournaments. Kingma will be missed as the Dutch team tries to find its footing in the World Cup League 2 competition.

The entire case raises several questions on the ICC’s commitment to preserving the image of the game. In the case of recreational drugs, even if used outside competition, it is just as out of bounds in samples provided during international matches. The governing body mentions that education and knowledge are important to avoid when players think using recreational drugs is acceptable.

For Kingma, the potential return to the international game will now depend on completing the suspension and treatment course (if applicable). As the date of return is uncertain, the Dutch team will need to use other seamers to replace Kingma.

The Netherlands' 15-member squad has been announced for their upcoming tour of Bangladesh, where the Dutch side will play a crucial three-match T20I series. A star Dutch player has been dropped from the squad, while some strong names have made a comeback to the squad. 

Netherlands will have important preparation for T20 World Cup

Before the Asia Cup 2025, Bangladesh will host a three-match T20I series against the Netherlands. Sylhet will host these matches on August 30, September 1, and September 3. It will be the Netherlands' first international cricket commitment after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers, where they won the campaign to book their place for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will host in February and March 2026. So, the forthcoming Bangladesh tour will play a crucial preparatory role for the Dutch side ahead of the next T20 World Cup. 

Scott Edwards will continue to lead the Netherlands T20I side, while Ryan Klien, Shariz Ahmad, Tim Pringle, and Fred Klaasen have been recalled to the squad. As some players experienced the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, the Dutch side has strong confidence in the upcoming away T20I series. Also, their head coach Ryan Cook previously worked for the Bangladesh men's national cricket team as a fielding coach for many years. The Netherlands are reportedly to arrive in Bangladesh on August 26. 

See Also: Key Bangladesh cricketer will miss home series before Asia Cup 2025

Roelof van der Merwe dropped from Netherlands squad

Talking about the big name dropped from the squad, former South African cricketer Roelof van der Merwe, who took six wickets in four games in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Region Final, including winning the Player of the Match award in the last game against the second-placed Italy, has been dropped from the Bangladesh tour. The dropped names are Michael Lewitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, and Vivian Kingma. 

Italy is on the verge of qualifying for the upcoming ICC T20I World Cup after a historic win over Scotland. In their last match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, 2025, they'll be facing the Netherlands, another high-profile team of the groups. For both Italy and the Netherlands, tomorrow's game will be a must-win encounter, where Italy will start the match as the favorite to win. The Italian cricket team proved their mettle by winning against Scotland; it was a neck-and-neck match, where both teams had an equalshare to win it. Italy managed to hold their nerves strong and delivered the required performance to grab an all-important win.

In terms of the points table, Italy, after playing 3 matches, is currently at the top of the points table with 5 points. And the Netherlands, with the same number of matches, has 4 points, and they are the second-place holder of the ladder. The boys in orange will have a chance to claim the first spot of the table. 

Match Details 

Series: ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, 2025

Match: Match 10

Venue: Voorburg Cricket Club, The Hague

Date and Time: Friday, 11th July, 19:30

Umpires: Russell Warren (ENG), Roland Black (IRE), and Aidan Seaver (IRE)

Referee: Denavon Hayles (WI)

ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, 2025, Italy vs Netherlands, Live Streaming: icc.tv

Read More: Watch: Matthew Short's dead-ball controversy sparks debate in MLC 2025

Squads:

Netherlands' squad: Anthony Mosca, Emilio Gay, Joe Burns (c), Justin Mosca, Zain Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Bilal Khan, Grant Stewart, Harry Manenti, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Marcus Campopiano (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Damith Kosala, Jaspreet Singh, Thomas Draca, and Zain Ali. 

Italy's squad: Anthony Mosca, Emilio Gay, Joe Burns (c), Justin Mosca, Zain Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Bilal Khan, Grant Stewart, Harry Manenti, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Marcus Campopiano (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Damith Kosala, Jaspreet Singh, Thomas Draca, and Zain Ali.