Familiar faces return as Netherlands name World Cup squad

Several familiar faces returned to the setup as Netherlands announced an experienced squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Roelof van der Merwe, Bas de Leede, Michael Levitt and Zach Lion-Cachet are back after missing the Bangladesh tour that followed the Men's T20 World Cup Europe Region Final where Netherlands secured their spot alongside Italy.

Veteran allrounder Colin Ackermann has also been recalled having last played a T20I in November 2024. Timm van der Gugten, meanwhile, is also back to T20Is for the first time since 2024. The 34-year-old seamer picked up six wickets in ten games during his recent T20 Blast stint.

Logan van Beek makes his comeback as well, having last appeared for the Netherlands during the previous T20 World Cup in July 2024. Since then, he has featured in New Zealand's Super Smash, claiming five wickets in seven matches for Wellington.

Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle and Vikramjit Singh, who featured in the Bangladesh series, miss out this time, as do Cedric de Lange, Sikander Zulfiqar, Sebastiaan Braat, Daniel Doram, Shariz Ahmad and Ryan Klein.

The Netherlands are placed in Group A, where they will face Pakistan, Namibia, the United States and defending champions India. This is Netherlands' seventh appearance at the Men's T20 World Cup. Their debut came in 2009, a tournament remembered for their shock victory over hosts England in the opening match.

The Scott Edwards-led side will begin their 2026 campaign against Pakistan on February 7 in Colombo.

Squad: Scott Edwards (c), Colin Ackermann, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Michael Levitt, Zach Lion-Cachet, Max O'Dowd, Logan van Beek, Timm van der Gugten, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.