In Match 6 of the Serbia Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026, host nation Serbia Women edged past Bulgaria Women in a thriller at the Lisicji Jarak Cricket Ground in Belgrade. In a contest that swung until the final over, Bulgaria posted a competitive total of 154/5 after winning the toss and opting to bat. Serbia stayed resolute throughout a tense run-chase, holding their nerve to overhaul the target and finish on 155/5 in 20 overs, sealing a narrow 5-wicket win.
Bulgaria’s innings got off to a rocky start when Jana Majski trapped opener Stanislava Sarandeva lbw for a two-ball duck in the very first over. Serbia continued to break early momentum as Nadja Nojic bowled Katrin Srandeva for 2, followed by Dunja Miskovic and Sara Simic cleaning up Simona Yordanova (6) and Krastina Ivanova (3) respectively. Milica Stevanovic also chipped in by dismissing opener Vili Nikolova, who had anchored the early phase with a brisk 26 off 32 balls (4 fours).
At 92/5 in the 12th over, Bulgaria needed a strong finish, and captain Detelina Ruynekova provided exactly that. Ruynekova scored a gritty, unbeaten 38 off 49 balls, striking 5 boundaries. She joined forces with Katrin Eftimova (12* off 25 balls) for an unbroken 62-run sixth-wicket stand. As many as 67 extras—including 55 wides—further aided Bulgaria’s push, lifting them to 154/5 by the end of their 20 overs.
Serbia’s run-chase got off to a flying, albeit brief, start when opener Dunja Demic smashed 8 runs off just 3 balls—hitting two boundaries—before being cleaned up by Katrin Srandeva in the opening over. Skipper Milica Perisic then took control alongside Nadja Nojic, steadying the innings with a controlled second-wicket partnership. Perisic scored a crucial 26 off 29 balls with 2 fours, taking Serbia to 69/2 before being bowled by Danaya Ilieva.
Following Perisic’s departure, Milica Stevanovic stepped up to accelerate the chase alongside Nojic. Stevanovic played an aggressive knock, scoring 34 off 37 balls laced with 5 boundaries. Nojic anchored the entire chase from the other end, showing great application to finish unbeaten on 44 off 59 balls (4 fours). Together, the pair added 72 runs for the third wicket, putting Serbia well ahead of the required rate.
Bulgaria made a late attempt to trigger a collapse in the 19th over. Katrin Srandeva, who ended as Bulgaria’s best bowler with figures of 2/38 in 4 overs, bowled Dunja Miskovic for a duck, right after Stevanovic was run out by Srandeva herself. Ruynekova then had Elena Prokic stumped for 1. Despite losing three wickets in quick succession, Serbia stayed focused, benefiting from 42 total extras from the Bulgarian attack to hit the winning runs on the final ball.
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