Pakistan has met the Netherlands ten times in international cricket since 1996, and the Dutch have never once walked off the field with a win. That perfect record, spanning ODIs and T20Is across three decades, makes this rivalry one of the most one-sided in world cricket, yet several matches inside it have been far closer than the scoreline suggests. This complete Netherlands national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline breaks down every confirmed meeting, the numbers behind them, and the moments that turned routine fixtures into memorable cricket.
Netherlands vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Record at a Glance
Pakistan leads the Netherlands 10-0 in completed international cricket, having won all seven ODIs and all three T20Is played between the two nations since 1996.
That is a flawless record across every white-ball format the two teams have contested. Seven of the ten meetings have come in One Day Internationals, while three have taken place in the T20I format – and notably, every single T20I between these sides has occurred inside a T20 World Cup rather than a bilateral series. This tells you something important about the nature of the rivalry: the Netherlands and Pakistan rarely schedule each other outside global tournaments, which means almost every clash carries tournament stakes.
Read more: Netherlands National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
| Format | Matches Played | Pakistan Wins | Netherlands Wins | Pakistan Win Rate |
| ODI | 7 | 7 | 0 | 100% |
| T20I | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100% |
| Combined | 10 | 10 | 0 | 100% |
Why This One-Sided Scoreline Still Matters
A ten-match unbeaten streak might suggest a mismatch, but that undersells what’s actually happened across these fixtures. The Netherlands has posted competitive totals, produced standout individual performances, and forced Pakistan into genuine pressure situations in at least four of the ten encounters. The scoreline reflects Pakistan’s superior depth and experience, not a lack of competitiveness from the Dutch side – a distinction that matters when assessing where Associate cricket stands today.
Complete Match-by-Match Timeline: 1996 to 2026
The rivalry began at the 1996 ODI World Cup in Lahore and has produced ten matches through February 2026, with Pakistan winning every single one across formats.
Here is the full, chronological record of every confirmed Netherlands vs Pakistan international match, drawn from official tournament and series records.
| Date | Format | Tournament/Series | Venue | Result |
| Feb 26, 1996 | ODI | ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 | Lahore | Pakistan won by 8 wickets |
| Sep 21, 2002 | ODI | ICC Champions Trophy 2002 | Colombo (SSC) | Pakistan won by 9 wickets |
| Feb 25, 2003 | ODI | ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 | Paarl | Pakistan won by 97 runs |
| Jun 2009 | T20I | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 | England | Pakistan won by 82 runs |
| Aug 16, 2022 | ODI | Pakistan tour of the Netherlands | Rotterdam | Pakistan won by 16 runs |
| Aug 18, 2022 | ODI | Pakistan tour of the Netherlands | Rotterdam | Pakistan won by 7 wickets |
| Aug 21, 2022 | ODI | Pakistan tour of the Netherlands | Rotterdam | Pakistan won by 9 runs |
| Oct 30, 2022 | T20I | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 | Perth | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| Oct 6, 2023 | ODI | ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 | Hyderabad | Pakistan won by 81 runs |
| Feb 7, 2026 | T20I | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Colombo | Pakistan won by 3 wickets |
This table forms the backbone of the entire Netherlands national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline, and every match below is examined in the context of what actually happened on the field, not just the final scoreline.
The First Chapter: Lahore, 1996 World Cup
Pakistan’s first-ever meeting with the Netherlands came on home soil at the 1996 Cricket World Cup, and it set a template that would repeat itself for the next three decades. Waqar Younis produced a devastating spell of 4 wickets for 26 runs, restricting the Dutch batting order to 145 for 7. Opener Saeed Anwar then chased the target down with a composed 83 not out, guiding Pakistan to an 8-wicket win without ever looking troubled.
Pakistan’s first match against the Netherlands came at the 1996 Cricket World Cup in Lahore, where Waqar Younis’s 4/26 restricted the Dutch to 145/7 before Saeed Anwar’s unbeaten 83 sealed an 8-wicket win.
Colombo 2002: Shahid Afridi’s All-Round Statement
Six years later, at the ICC Champions Trophy in Colombo, Pakistan extended their unbeaten run to two matches. This game belonged almost entirely to Shahid Afridi, who took three wickets to dismantle the Dutch top order and then followed it up with a rapid half-century to finish the chase. The 9-wicket margin barely tells the story of how comprehensively Pakistan controlled every phase of that contest.
Paarl 2003: A Clinical Pace Attack Ends Dutch Resistance
The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup produced the biggest winning margin of the entire rivalry so far. Batting first at Paarl, Pakistan posted 253 for 9, with Mohammad Yousuf top-scoring on 58. What followed was a masterclass in fast bowling – Wasim Akram claimed 3 wickets for 24 runs, and Shoaib Akhtar matched him with 3 for 26, bundling the Netherlands out for just 156 and completing a 97-run victory.
Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 97 runs at the 2003 Cricket World Cup in Paarl, with Mohammad Yousuf’s 58 setting up the total before Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar shared six wickets to dismantle the Dutch chase.
England 2009: Pakistan’s First T20I Statement
The two nations didn’t meet again until the shortest format entered the picture at the 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in England. Pakistan extended their dominance into T20 cricket with an 82-run win, a result that reinforced the gap between the sides heading into a format Netherlands would later use to spring several famous upsets against other Full Member nations – just not against Pakistan.
The Historic 2022 Rotterdam Series: Netherlands’ Closest Fight Yet
Pakistan swept their first-ever bilateral ODI series against the Netherlands 3-0 in Rotterdam in August 2022, but every single match in that series was decided by a tight margin.
This series deserves special attention because it was the first time the two nations had ever arranged a full bilateral tour, and it produced the most competitive cricket of the entire rivalry to that point.
First ODI: A 16-Run Escape
The series opener went right to the wire. Pakistan posted a strong total, but the Netherlands’ batting order kept the chase alive deep into the innings before finally falling 16 runs short. It was an early signal that Dutch cricket had matured significantly since the lopsided encounters of the early 2000s.
Second ODI: A Comfortable 7-Wicket Chase
Pakistan settled into a rhythm in the second match, chasing down their target with 7 wickets in hand. This was the most one-sided of the three Rotterdam matches, with Pakistan’s top order controlling the run rate from the powerplay onward.
Third ODI: Naseem Shah and Babar Azam Seal the Sweep
Pakistan completed the series sweep with a tense 9-run win in the decider, the tightest margin of the entire Rotterdam series. Across the three matches, Pakistan captain Babar Azam was the standout batter, aggregating 222 runs at an average of 74.00, while young pacer Naseem Shah was the leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps at an average of just 11.10. Those numbers explain exactly why Pakistan won every match despite the Netherlands pushing hard in two of the three games.
Pakistan won the historic 2022 Rotterdam ODI series 3-0, with Babar Azam scoring 222 runs at an average of 74.00 and Naseem Shah taking 10 wickets at an average of 11.10 across the three matches.
Perth 2022: A T20 World Cup Scare on the Road to the Final
The Netherlands were bowled out for just 91 in Perth, yet their disciplined new-ball bowling dragged Pakistan’s chase into the 14th over before a 6-wicket win sealed the contest.
This match arrived at a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s 2022 T20 World Cup campaign. The Dutch attack, built around tight lines from their seamers, created early pressure that forced Pakistan’s top order to play cautiously rather than attack from ball one. It took until the 14th over for Pakistan to finally get the chase under control, well beyond what a 92-run target should have demanded against a side of Pakistan’s batting depth.
The Hidden Impact of This Fixture on Pakistan’s World Cup Run
What makes this match historically significant isn’t just the result – it’s what happened elsewhere in that same tournament. The Netherlands pulled off one of the biggest shocks in T20 World Cup history by beating South Africa in Adelaide during that same edition, a result that indirectly worked in Pakistan’s favor on net run rate and eventually helped shape the road to their eventual final appearance. Strangely, the Netherlands’ upset elsewhere had more impact on Pakistan’s tournament than their own head-to-head match did.
Hyderabad 2023: Rizwan and Shakeel Power an 81-Run Win
Pakistan posted 286 at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, built on twin half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, before winning by 81 runs.
Both Rizwan and Shakeel scored 68 apiece, giving Pakistan a total that looked comfortably above par on a used Hyderabad surface. The Netherlands responded with arguably the best individual all-round performance of the entire rivalry – Bas de Leede took 4 wickets for 62 runs with the ball and then top-scored with 67 in the chase, keeping the Dutch competitive for large stretches of their innings. Despite that effort, the Netherlands were eventually bowled out for 205, with Pakistan’s pace attack closing out the tail to secure the win.
Why Bas de Leede’s Performance Still Matters
De Leede’s double impact in this match remains the single best individual display by a Dutch cricketer against Pakistan across the entire head-to-head. It signaled that the Netherlands’ next generation of all-rounders could genuinely trouble Full Member attacks on their day, even if the overall team depth still lagged.
Colombo 2026: Faheem Ashraf’s Nervy Finish
Pakistan’s narrowest win in the entire rivalry came at the 2026 T20 World Cup opener, chasing down 147 by just 3 wickets thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s unbeaten 29 off just 11 balls.
The Netherlands restricted Pakistan to 148 for 7 after posting a modest 147 themselves, and for a significant stretch of the chase, it genuinely looked like the Dutch might finally end their losing streak. Pakistan lost five wickets between the 12th and 19th overs, turning what should have been a routine chase into a nail-biting finish. Faheem Ashraf’s late hitting, ending with three balls still in hand, ultimately sealed Pakistan’s tenth straight win over the Netherlands.
This wasn’t the first time Pakistan’s middle order had wobbled against Dutch bowling – the same pattern surfaced in Perth in 2022. Both matches show that while Pakistan’s top-order batters and bowling attack remain far superior on paper, their middle order has repeatedly struggled against the discipline and seam movement Dutch bowlers generate in the 30-yard circle.
Key Players Who Have Shaped the Rivalry
Mohammad Rizwan, Wasim Akram, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Bas de Leede stand out as the most influential individual performers across the Netherlands vs Pakistan head-to-head.
- Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar’s combined six-wicket haul in 2003 remains the most dominant pace-bowling display in this rivalry.
- Babar Azam’s 222 runs at an average of 74.00 across the 2022 Rotterdam series is the best batting return by any player in the head-to-head.
- Naseem Shah’s 10 wickets at an average of 11.10 in that same series is the best bowling return by a Pakistan player.
- Mohammad Rizwan has anchored two crucial totals for Pakistan, contributing in both the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup meetings.
- Bas de Leede is the Netherlands’ standout all-round performer, combining bat and ball excellence in the 2023 World Cup defeat.
- Faheem Ashraf’s finishing cameo in 2026 underlined Pakistan’s continued reliance on lower-order composure against disciplined Associate-nation attacks.
Why Netherlands Keep Producing Competitive Cricketers Despite the Losing Streak
The Netherlands’ domestic pathway has increasingly fed talent into county cricket and global T20 leagues, with players like Ryan ten Doeschate, Logan van Beek, and now Bas de Leede gaining exposure well beyond Dutch cricket. That exposure explains why several of these matches – particularly Rotterdam 2022, Perth 2022, and Colombo 2026 – have finished far closer than the overall head-to-head record suggests.
Records and Statistics From the Rivalry
Pakistan’s largest win margin over the Netherlands is 97 runs, recorded at the 2003 Cricket World Cup, while their narrowest is a 3-wicket margin from the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- Total matches played: 10 (7 ODIs, 3 T20Is), with Pakistan winning every single one.
- Highest team total recorded in this fixture: 314, posted by Pakistan during the 2022 Rotterdam series.
- Highest individual score: 83 not out, scored by Saeed Anwar in the very first meeting in 1996.
- Best individual all-round performance: Bas de Leede’s 4 for 62 and 67 for the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup.
- Best bowling figures in a single innings: Waqar Younis’s 4 for 26 in the 1996 World Cup opener.
- Best bowling return across a series: Naseem Shah’s 10 wickets at 11.10 during the 2022 Rotterdam series.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pakistan first play the Netherlands in international cricket?
Pakistan’s first meeting with the Netherlands came at the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup in Lahore, which Pakistan won by 8 wickets after Waqar Younis’s 4/26.
How many times has Pakistan beaten the Netherlands?
Pakistan has won all ten confirmed matches against the Netherlands across ODI and T20I formats, maintaining a perfect head-to-head record since 1996.
Have Netherlands ever defeated Pakistan in any format?
No, the Netherlands have never beaten Pakistan in any completed international fixture across ODIs or T20Is to date.
What was Pakistan’s biggest win over the Netherlands?
Pakistan’s largest margin of victory was 97 runs, recorded at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in Paarl.
What was the closest match between the Netherlands and Pakistan?
The 2026 T20 World Cup opener in Colombo was the tightest contest, with Pakistan winning by just 3 wickets thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s late cameo.
Who has scored the most runs for Pakistan against the Netherlands in a series?
Babar Azam holds this record, scoring 222 runs at an average of 74.00 during the 2022 Rotterdam ODI series.
Did the Netherlands ever host Pakistan for a full bilateral series?
Yes, the Netherlands hosted Pakistan for a historic three-match ODI series in Rotterdam in August 2022, which Pakistan swept 3-0.
Which tournament features most in the Netherlands vs Pakistan rivalry?
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has hosted the most editions of this fixture in recent years, alongside two meetings at the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Who is Bas de Leede, and why is he significant in this rivalry?
Bas de Leede is a Netherlands all-rounder whose 4-wicket haul and half-century in the 2023 World Cup remain the standout individual effort by a Dutch player against Pakistan.
Where was the most recent Netherlands vs Pakistan match played?
The most recent match was played at the SSC Ground area in Colombo during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, on February 7, 2026, with Pakistan winning by 3 wickets.