Gibraltar vs Norway - 5th Place Play-off, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier B, 2026

Date: July 14, 2026
Venue: Koge Cricket Club, Koge

Match Summary

Norway triumphed over Gibraltar by 24 runs in a high-scoring encounter. Norway's batting was spearheaded by Saif Ul Islam and Wahidullah Sahak, while Gibraltar's Louis Bruce and Chris Pyle put up a fight. Norway's Wahidullah Sahak was instrumental with both bat and ball, earning him the Player of the Match title.

Detailed Narrative

The match began with Norway winning the toss and opting to bat first. They posted a formidable total of 199/1 in their allotted 20 overs. Saif Ul Islam was the standout performer for Norway, scoring an unbeaten 91 off 63 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes. His innings was complemented by Wahidullah Sahak, who scored a brisk 75 off 43 balls, hitting 6 fours and 4 sixes. Walid Ghauri also contributed with a quickfire 23 not out from just 14 balls.

Gibraltar's bowlers struggled to contain the Norwegian batsmen, with Louis Bruce being the only bowler to take a wicket, dismissing Wahidullah Sahak with a catch by Jack Horrocks.

Chasing a daunting target of 200, Gibraltar managed to score 175/6 in their 20 overs. Louis Bruce played a valiant knock of 53 runs off 35 deliveries, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. Chris Pyle also added a valuable contribution of 37 runs from 23 balls. However, the required run rate proved too steep as Gibraltar fell short by 24 runs.

Norway's bowlers delivered disciplined performances with Farmanullah Ghari taking two wickets for 32 runs in his four overs. Muhammad Butt, Vinay Ravi, Hayatullah Niazi, and Wahidullah Sahak each picked up a wicket to ensure Gibraltar couldn't reach the target.

Overall, it was an entertaining match where both teams showcased excellent cricketing skills. Saif Ul Islam's masterclass with the bat and Wahidullah Sahak's all-round performance were pivotal in securing Norway's victory.