 "T20 World Cup 2026: Screaming catches, under-pressure knocks, and hat-tricks that stole the show on Day 1")
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicked off on Saturday with three thrilling games across India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, West Indies, and India all started their campaigns with wins, but it wasn’t smooth sailing for any team. There were heart-stopping chases, jaw-dropping catches, hat-tricks, and some serious batting fireworks to make Day 1 memorable.
In Colombo, Pakistan scraped past the Netherlands by just three wickets in the tournament opener. The Dutch, put into bat first, managed to post 147. The game went down to the last few balls, with Faheem Ashraf emerging as the unlikely hero to steer Pakistan home. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, West Indies made a statement by defeating Scotland by 35 runs. Chasing a massive 183, Scotland crumbled to 147 in 18.5 overs, thanks to some brilliant bowling from the Caribbean side.
And in Mumbai, defending champions and co-hosts India beat USA by 29 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. After scoring a respectable 161/9 thanks to a brilliant effort from captain Suryakumar Yadav, India restricted the Americans to 132/8, proving once again why they are the team to beat in this competition.
T20 World Cup 2026: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi’s relay catch
One of the first jaw-dropping moments came in the Pakistan vs Netherlands game when Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi pulled off an incredible relay catch. Michael Levitt looked set for a big hit but mistimed his shot. Babar, running to his right at long-off, plucked the ball from thin air and, despite flying over the rope, lobbed it back perfectly to Afridi, who completed the catch.
Babar Azam mocked by Mohammad Kaif
Meanwhile, it wasn’t all happy moments for Babar. After being dismissed for 15 off 18 balls while attempting a big hit, former Indian star Mohammad Kaif didn’t hold back. He criticised Babar’s approach, saying he “could only score singles and doubles” and “loses his wicket every time he goes for a big shot.” Pakistan were 90/2 and in a good position when Babar walked in to bat. By the time he left, the Men in Green looked in trouble with the required rate climbing sharply.
The pressure is back on Pakistan! 😮💨
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 7, 2026
Babar Azam is caught as half of the side is back into the hut!
Will Netherlands pull off an upset here? 🤔
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Quick Reads
View AllFaheem Ashraf’s heroics and dropped catch
With Pakistan needing 29 off 12 balls and three wickets in hand, Faheem Ashraf stepped up like a superhero. He smashed 29 off 11 balls, including three huge sixes in a dramatic 19th over that also featured a dropped catch by Max O’Dowd. Faheem finished the chase with three balls to spare, keeping Pakistan alive after a nervous middle-order collapse. Paul van Meekeren of the Netherlands later admitted that if the catch had been taken, Pakistan could have been sent home.
Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick
West Indies fans had a reason to cheer big time in Kolkata when pacer Romario Shepherd picked up a hat-trick against Scotland. Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, and Oliver Davidson fell in consecutive deliveries in the 17th over. Shepherd didn’t stop there as he picked up a fourth wicket in the same over. This was the first hat-trick of this year’s T20 World Cup and the 10th in the history of the tournament.
HAT-TRICK FOR SHEPHERD! 🎩🔥
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 7, 2026
Shepherd completes yet another T20I hat-trick and West Indies tighten the grip! 💪
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Shimron Hetmyer’s all-round show
Shimron Hetmyer was another star for the West Indies with both bat and in the field. He blazed his way to a 22-ball fifty, finishing with 64 off 36 balls, smashing boundaries all around the park and keeping Scotland on the back foot. But Hetmyer didn’t stop there as he also pulled off an incredible diving catch in the 6th over to dismiss George Munsey, plucking the ball out of thin air while full stretch and leaving the crowd and commentators in awe.
“You CANNOT do that, Shimron Hetmyer!” 🚀
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 7, 2026
A sensational moment in the field, and the West Indies’ celebration says it all 💪
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Shadley van Schalkwyk’s 3-wicket blitz
India’s opening game against USA saw a shocker early on as Shadley van Schalkwyk ran through the top order and picked up three wickets in the same over. Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube became his victims, scoring 20, 25, and a first-ball duck, respectively. The Indian fans at the Wankhede were left in shock, wondering if their team could even post a defendable total.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s innings
Thankfully for India, skipper Suryakumar Yadav was in sensational form. He anchored the innings after the collapse, scoring 84 off 49 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and 4 sixes. SKY’s brilliant performance took India to a respectable 161/9 in 20 overs, proving his worth yet again. SKY played the captain’s knock in India’s opening clash and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
A fine innings from the man in top form! 👏@surya_14kumar brings up his 25th T20I fifty, just when the team needed it the most! 💙
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 7, 2026
PS. India win 88% of matches when captain SKY scores 50+
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Siraj and Arshdeep dismantle USA
India’s bowlers then made short work of the USA’s batting line-up. Mohammad Siraj removed the openers cheaply, while Arshdeep Singh got the USA captain Monank Patel out for a duck. The duo’s disciplined and fiery bowling in the powerplay ensured India wrapped up a comfortable 29-run victory to start their title defence with a win.
Almost pulled off a stunner! 🤯
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 7, 2026
Two wickets in his first two overs, giving it everything - @mdsirajofficial is right in the game! ⚡
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