The second match of the Czech Republic Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026 at Scott Page Field in Vinor saw Czech Republic Women elect to field first after winning the toss against Portugal Women.
The Portuguese innings started on a shaky note when opener Nayantara Raghunandan was run out for 5 off 3 balls in the very first over (1-9, 0.5 ov) following fine work by Katerina Kisova and Sowjanya Talamarla. Sanne Gerarda Luijke attempted to steady the top order alongside captain Sarah Foo-Ryland, but Talamarla removed Foo-Ryland for 4 off 6 balls (2-18, 2.6 ov), trapped lbw.
Isabel Walker then joined Luijke, adding a short 26-run stand before Erika Kuncova breached Walker’s defense to bowl her for 8 off 12 balls (3-44, 6.2 ov). Shortly after, Viola Komeda struck a big blow by having Luijke caught by Kisova for 15 off 18 balls (4-47, 7.1 ov). The middle and lower order struggled to gain any sustained momentum under constant pressure from the Czech bowlers.
Kiona Sequiera contributed 8 off 10 balls before being bowled by Komeda (5-61, 9.1 ov), while Matilda James made 8 off 8 balls before Kuncova bowled her (6-65, 10.1 ov). Kuncova struck again on the very next ball, taking a return catch to dismiss Maria Buccimazza for a duck (7-65, 10.2 ov). Ishreet Cheema held one end firm with an unbeaten 15 off 14 balls, but lost partners rapidly.
Komeda completed a devastating spell by bowling Afsheen Ahmed for 1 off 4 balls (8-75, 11.6 ov), Ana Faria for 2 off 4 balls (9-86, 13.1 ov), and Ashmeet Bhullar for a duck (10-86, 13.2 ov). Supported by 20 extras, Portugal Women folded for 86 runs in 13.2 overs.
Czech Republic’s bowling effort was anchored by Viola Komeda’s exceptional 5 for 14 in 3.2 overs and Player of the Match Erika Kuncova’s 3 for 20 in 3 overs, along with disciplined contributions from Sowjanya Talamarla (1/19 in 3 ov), Desika Marikova-Moodley (0/18 in 3 ov), and Rachel Pavlickova (0/11 in 1 ov).
Set a target of 87 runs for victory, Czech Republic Women kicked off their chase with Erika Kuncova and Katerina Tesarikova opening the batting. The duo put together a solid 25-run opening stand before Isabel Walker made the first breakthrough, bowling Tesarikova for 7 off 8 balls (1-25, 2.5 ov).
Rachel Pavlickova then joined Kuncova at the crease, and the two batswomen effectively took control of the contest with a commanding 60-run partnership for the second wicket. Kuncova led the chase with a fine 37 off 40 balls (hitting 2 fours) before Walker bowled her late in the innings (2-85, 12.2 ov). Walker struck again three balls later, bowling Pavlickova for 24 off 29 balls (3-86, 12.5 ov), which included 3 boundaries.
With just 1 run needed, Josephine Souckova (1* off 1 ball) and wicketkeeper Zuzana Franova (0* off 0 balls) safely saw the team over the line. Aided by 18 extras conceded by the opposition, Czech Republic Women wrapped up the pursuit in 12.5 overs at 87/3 to secure a convincing 7-wicket victory with 43 balls remaining.
Isabel Walker was the standout bowler for Portugal Women, taking 3 for 23 in her 3.5 overs. Matilda James (0/32 in 4 ov), Kiona Sequiera (0/14 in 3 ov), and Afsheen Ahmed (0/14 in 2 ov) offered support in the bowling attack, but the low total left them with little room to defend.
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