The opening fixture of the Czech Republic Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026 at the Scott Page Field in Vinor delivered an engaging contest as Portugal Women went up against Belgium Women.
Taking first guard after Belgium elected to field, the Iberian side launched their innings with dynamic opening batter Sanne Gerarda Luijke alongside Nayantara Raghunandan. The partnership yielded a conservative 20 runs before Raghunandan was caught short of her crease for 9 off 16 balls due to a sharp throw by Attia Diwan Ali.
Joining Luijke at the crease, captain Sarah Foo-Ryland stabilized the innings, constructing a solid second-wicket stand of 73 runs. Foo-Ryland stroked 3 boundaries in her 23-ball 21 before falling to Payal Kothari, who picked up a quick double-wicket blow by dismissing new batter Isabel Walker (7 off 6 balls) shortly after, caught behind by wicketkeeper Irma Vrignaud.
Despite the middle-order hiccups, Luijke anchored the entire batting performance with remarkable composure. She compiled an unbeaten 59 off 56 deliveries, striking 7 boundaries. She found an effective partner in Kiona Sequiera, who injected tempo into the finish with 30 off 29 balls, featuring 4 boundaries. The pair added 50 runs for the fourth wicket before Arussa Ilahi cleaned up Sequiera. Matilda James then scored 1 off 1 ball, closing out the innings as Portugal added a massive 30 extras (including 13 wide balls and 11 no-balls) to post 157/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Belgium’s bowling attack showed disciplined moments, led by Payal Kothari’s 2 for 16 in 2 overs and Arussa Ilahi’s frugal 1 for 7 in 3 overs. Rithika Rajesh (0/22 in 4 overs), Peher Modi (0/26 in 3 overs), Shweta Sinha (0/36 in 4 overs), Beatrice Pierre (0/15 in 1 over), and Attia Diwan Ali (0/29 in 3 overs) rounded off the bowling efforts, though control slipped in conceded extras.
Chasing a target of 158, Belgium Women struggled to establish early momentum during their reply. Openers Beatrice Pierre and Shweta Sinha managed 6 (10 balls) and 8 (10 balls) respectively before falling early. Nayantara Raghunandan drew first blood by having Pierre caught by Matilda James, while Isabel Walker knocked back Sinha’s stumps. The pressure mounted as Peher Modi (4 off 6 balls) fell to Matilda James, caught by Sequiera.
Sitting at 35/3, Arussa Ilahi anchored the middle-over consolidation alongside Sruthi Yenamandra. Their 25-run alliance was broken when Kiona Sequiera shattered Yenamandra’s stumps for 10 off 21 balls. With the required run rate soaring out of reach, Ilahi fought on patiently alongside Irma Vrignaud. The duo put together an unbroken 45-run stand for the fifth wicket, focusing on crease occupation rather than taking high-risk aerial shots.
Ilahi finished unbeaten on 27 off 41 balls (1 four), while keeper-batter Vrignaud ended on 13* off 35 balls. Bolstered by 37 extras from the opposition, Belgium Women concluded their 20 overs at 105/4.
Portugal’s bowling unit shared the workload efficiently; Sequiera (1/17 in 4 overs), Walker (1/18 in 4 overs), James (1/9 in 2 overs), and Raghunandan (1/30 in 4 overs) each captured a wicket, while tight spells from Ishreet Cheema (0/12 in 4 overs) and Afsheen Ahmed (0/11 in 2 overs) sealed a dominant 52-run victory for Portugal. Player of the Match honors were awarded to Sanne Gerarda Luijke for her brilliant match-winning half-century.
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