In a nail-biting encounter at the 6th Match of the Czech Republic Women’s T20I Tri-Series in Vinor, the Czech Republic Women clinched a sensational 6-wicket victory off the final ball against Portugal Women.
Portugal Women had a difficult start after choosing to bat first. The opening stand ended quickly at 10 runs when Nayantara Raghunandan (4 off 7 balls) was caught and bowled by Sowjanya Talamarla. Kiona Sequiera (17 off 20 balls) and skipper Sarah Collyer (9 off 11 balls) rebuilt with a 28-run partnership before Collyer fell to Desika Marikova-Moodley at 38/2. Erika Kuncova then turned the tide dramatically, dismissing Sequiera (38/3) and back-to-back batters Sanne Gerarda Luijke (0 off 1 ball, 39/4) and Matilda James (6 off 6 balls, 56/5).
Amidst the collapse, Isabel Walker anchored Portugal’s innings brilliantly with a resilient, unbeaten 46 off 40 balls (4 fours). She held one end while partnerships flickered: Maria Buccimazza (1 off 6) was run out for a 8-run stand (64/6), Ishreet Cheema (0 off 3) was bowled by Viola Komeda at 70/7, and Ana Faria added a brisk 12 off 9 balls before Rachel Pavlickova bowled her at 99/8. Pavlickova then removed Ashmeet Bhullar (4 off 13) at 125/9 before Afsheen Ahmed (0 off 2) was run out off the final delivery.
Boosted by 27 extras, Portugal collapsed to 126 all out in 19.2 overs. For the Czechs, Kuncova led with 3/17, supported by Pavlickova (2/34), Talamarla (1/25), Komeda (1/25), and Marikova-Moodley (1/21).
Chasing 127 for victory, Czech Republic Women were given a strong launch by openers Katerina Tesarickova and player of the match Erika Kuncova. The pair strung together a vital 43-run opening stand before Matilda James got the breakthrough, bowling Tesarickova for a rapid 32 off 28 balls (4 fours, 1 six). Farwa Baber joined Kuncova, adding 50 crucial runs for the second wicket. Baber scored a steady 24 off 24 balls (3 fours) before Isabel Walker trapped her lbw with the score at 93/2 in the 15th over.
Captain Sowjanya Talamarla hit 11 off 12 balls before offering a catch back to Raghunandan at 109/3. Rachel Pavlickova made a quickfire 7 off 5 balls before James struck again, leaving the Czechs at 118/4. Requiring composure under intense pressure, Kuncova (28* off 49 balls) and Zuzana Franova (4* off 4 balls) held their nerve. Aided by 21 extras, they crossed the line at 127/4 off the very last ball (20.0 overs).
For Portugal, James picked 2/27, while Walker (1/14) and Raghunandan (1/27) bowled tightly, though bowling contributions from Ishreet Cheema (0/20), Kiona Sequiera (0/13), and Afsheen Ahmed (0/17) could not prevent the Czech Republic from pulling off a thriller.
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