The opening clash of the Czech Republic Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026 sets the tone for the entire tournament, bringing together two hungry sides aiming to make early noise on the international stage. Both Belgium Women and Portugal Women come into this fixture looking to cement their identity in European associate cricket. With no prior head-to-head records between the two, neither team carries the baggage of past defeats or the comfort of past wins—it’s a blank canvas where tactical adaptability will be put to the test right from the start.
Squads:
Portugal Women’s Cricket Team
Sarah Foo-Ryland (WK), Afsheen Ahmed, Ishreet Cheema, Ishmeet Kaur, Nayantra Raghunandan, Kiona Sequiera, Ashmeet Bhullar, Isabel Walker, Laiba Mubashar, Matilda James, Maria Buccimazza, Ana Faria
Belgium Women’s Cricket Team
Beatrice Pierre, Irma Vrignaud (WK), Alix Brodin (C), Shweta Sinha, Arussa Ilahi, Sruthi Yenamandra, Shabana Ilahi, Shamma Diwan Ali (WK), Attia Diwan Ali, Peher Modi, Payal Kothari, Shonaya Mehta, Rithika Rajesh, Sphatika Jhaveri
Players to watch out:
Shweta Sinha
Shweta Sinha has featured in 7 WT20I matches from 2021 to 2026, scoring 130 runs across 6 innings. She holds a solid top score of 63, averaging 21.66 with a strike rate of 100.77 after facing 129 deliveries. Her run tally includes 1 half-century and 15 boundaries, showing her ability to anchor and construct an innings.
Arussa Ilahi
Arussa Ilahi has taken 12 wickets in 12 WT20I matches between 2024 and 2026, delivering 46.5 overs (281 balls). She has maintained tight control with an economy rate of 5.01, a bowling average of 19.58, and a strike rate of 23.41. Her career highlights feature 6 maiden overs and best match figures of 3/7.
Sarah Foo-Ryland
Sarah Foo-Ryland made an impact in 2025 across 3 WT20Is, remaining unbeaten twice in her 3 innings to amass 127 runs. She averages a high 127.00 with the best score of 52* and a strike rate of 88.81. Over 143 balls faced, she hit 14 boundaries and recorded 2 fifties.
Ishreet Cheema
Ishreet Cheema picked up 3 wickets across 3 matches during the 2025 international period. Bowling 9 complete overs (54 balls), she earned a best bowling performance of 3/32. She recorded 1 maiden over, maintaining a bowling average of 22.33, an economy rate of 7.44, and a strike rate of 18.00.
Pitch:
Set in a continental climate with cooler mornings, this venue typically features an artificial hybrid/tuft surface to handle unpredictable local weather. It offers consistent, true bounce and high-scoring T20 conditions, though damp morning air can give quick bowlers early swing before the surface flattens out.
Weather:
Expect clear to partly cloudy skies with pleasant temperatures—highs around 28°C and lows near 18°C. The conditions promise a complete and uninterrupted game of cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Sarah Foo-Ryland, Afsheen Ahmed, Ishreet Cheema, Ishmeet Kaur, Nayantra Raghunandan, Beatrice Pierre, Irma Vrignaud, Alix Brodin, Shweta Sinha, Arussa Ilahi
Match Details:
Date – September 04, 2026
Time – 1:00 PM IST
Venue – Scott Page Field, Vinor
Broadcast – T.B.C.
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