02/07/26 12:07:00
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02/07 00:02 CST Pakistan bowls first against Netherlands in T20 World Cup opener
Pakistan bowls first against Netherlands in T20 World Cup opener
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) --- Pakistan, at the center of a boycott controversy
that has overshadowed the lead up to the T20 World Cup, has won the toss and
elected to field against the Netherlands in the tournament's opening game on
Saturday.
The Pakistan government has instructed its national team to boycott its Feb. 15
Group A game against co-host India, a decision that shook the cricket world
only six days ago.
The ICC has since requested the Pakistan Cricket Board to reconsider the
decision otherwise it will forfeit the marquee game of the tournament.
If Pakistan goes ahead with its boycott against India, it can ill afford to
lose points in its three other Group A games --- a group that also features the
U.S. and Namibia.
A grassy wicket at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, hosting its first T20
in 16 years, surprised Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha.
"First time I've seen this much grass in Sri Lanka," Agha said at the toss.
"We're playing three pacers and allrounders. Netherlands are a good side, but
we want to execute our plans."
The Netherlands has a history of surprising stronger opposition in T20 World
Cups, including beating South Africa in 2022 in Australia which cleared the way
for Pakistan to qualify for the semifinals.
Captain Scott Edwards said his team had got used to the conditions after
spending more than a month in India and Sri Lanka.
"For us, it's a big game, so are the other three," Edwards said.
Later Saturday
In the two other games on Saturday, Scotland, which replaced Bangladesh in
Group C, will meet two-time champion West Indies in Kolkata while co-host and
defending champion India plays against the U.S. at Mumbai in a Group A match.
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Lineups:
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott
Edwards (captain), Zach Lion-Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe,
Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren.
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam,
Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi,
Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.
___
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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