Germany vs Austria — Germany won by 4 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)

Germany beat Austria by 4 wickets (with 21 balls remaining) at the T20 Internationals 2026 – the 53rd match of 91 in the season. It was a second consecutive win for Germany in Krefeld on the same day, following their 162-run demolition of Austria in the morning game, and confirmed their complete dominance of this European matchup – four wins from four all-time against Austria.

For Austria, the defeats leave a familiar question unanswered. Their best performer across both matches today was Irfan Safi, an Austrian-registered all-rounder who scored 19* and took 3/36 in the chase – the highest Statz rating in the match at 94.52. Germany absorbed his threat and still won with 21 balls to spare.

First Innings: Austria Post 163/7

Germany won the toss and elected to bowl. Austria stumbled in the powerplay – Bilal Zalmai caught for 10 off 13 at 28/2 in the 5th over, Zeeshan Goraya following for 7 at 37/3 (over 7.5). The innings needed a rebuild.

Karanbir Singh provided it – 34 off 30 (3 fours, 2 sixes, SR 113) before falling at 69/4 in the 12th over, caught off Sajid Liaqat. Mohammad Waqar Zalmai was stumped for a duck at 69/5 in the very next ball (over 11.3). Amar Naeem hit 22 off 17 with 3 sixes before being caught at 98/6 in the 16th over, then Armaan Randhawa was bowled for 29 at 106/7 in over 16.4. Austria looked bound for around 140.

The final 21 balls changed everything. Irfan Safi (19* off 11, 2 sixes) and Zeshan Arif (31* off 11, 4 sixes, SR 282) combined unbeaten to add 53 and take Austria from 110/7 to 163/7. Nageebullah Sultanzai had been bowled for a duck in between at 110.

Germany’s best: Muslim Yar Ashraf 2/14 from 2 overs (economy 7.00), Sajid Liaqat 2/35 from 4 (8.75), Shahir Malikzai 1/20 from 3 (6.67).

Second Innings: Germany Chase Down 164

Germany’s chase opened at a remarkable tempo. Shahid Afridi hit 31 off 13 (2 fours, 3 sixes, SR 238) before being caught off Irfan Safi at 75/2 in the 6th over. Musaddiq Ahmed had been even more explosive – 40 off 16 (2 fours, 5 sixes, SR 250) – before Irfan Safi struck again at 83/3 in over 5.6. Hamid Wardak had also gone cheaply at 26/1 (over 1.4). Germany were 83/3 before completing 6 overs, Irfan Safi with 2/36 and bringing Austria right back into the match.

Harmanjot Singh steadied with 29 off 21 (1 four, 2 sixes), falling at 134/4 in over 11.2. Fayaz Khan Nasseri made 25 off 20 (1 four, 3 sixes) before becoming Irfan Safi’s third wicket at 139/5 in over 13.3. Sachin Mandy Gangareddy fell for 9 at 159/6 in over 16.2 but Germany needed just 6 from the final 9 balls. Muslim Yar Ashraf (11* off 9) and Sajid Liaqat (1*) saw them home at 165/6 in 16.3 overs.

Austria’s best in the chase: Irfan Safi 3/36 from 3.3 overs, Baseer Khan 2/28 from 4 (economy 7.00, 1 maiden).

Statz MVP: Irfan Safi – 94.52

Irfan Safi is the Statz MVP with an MI rating of 94.52 – the highest of any player in this match. Statz calculates impact based on match context, and Safi’s cross-discipline contribution was the defining thread of this game: 19* off 11 balls to rescue Austria’s first innings from 110/7 and set a competitive 163, then 3 wickets in the chase to disrupt Germany’s top order at 83/3. That he finished on the losing side with that rating makes it all the more striking. No official Man of the Match was recorded for this fixture.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Irfan Safi (AUT) – 141 Dream11 pts | MI Rating 94.52 – 19* (11b) bat + 3/36 bowl. Outstanding in defeat.
2. Shahid Afridi (GER) – 99 Dream11 pts | MI Rating 82.70 – 31 off 13 balls (SR 238) + 1/20. Set the tone at the top of the German chase.
3. Musaddiq Ahmed (GER) – 92 Dream11 pts | MI Rating 81.52 – 40 off 16 balls (SR 250, 5 sixes). Most destructive innings of the match.
4. Muslim Yar Ashraf (GER) – 91 Dream11 pts | MI Rating 59.11 – 2/14 from 2 overs in the first innings, then 11* to finish the chase.
5. Fayaz Khan Nasseri (GER) – 89 Dream11 pts | MI Rating 49.30 – 1/35 with ball, 25 off 20 in the chase. Solid middle-order contribution.

Turning Point

The dismissal of Musaddiq Ahmed by Irfan Safi, over 5.6, with Germany 83/3 chasing 164. Musaddiq had already hit 40 off 16 balls – the chase looked done. Irfan Safi dismissed him and Shahid Afridi in quick succession to reduce Germany to 83/3 and drag Austria back into the contest. Germany’s middle order held firm, but that cluster of wickets was the only real moment of jeopardy in the chase.

Match Context

Germany are ranked 35th in the ICC T20I rankings (rating 87, based on 22 matches). Austria have no current ICC T20I ranking data available on Statz. This was the 53rd match of 91 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season.

Germany now hold a 4-0 all-time head-to-head record against Austria in T20I cricket, with today’s double-header at the Bayer Uerdingen Cricket Ground in Krefeld adding a 4-wicket win to their earlier 162-run demolition. For Austria, consecutive heavy defeats against the same opponent on the same day expose a persistent gap – though Irfan Safi’s individual performances across both matches show there is genuine talent in this squad to build around as European cricket develops.

Full scorecard: statz.ai/cricket/fixtures/69850/germany-vs-austria/scorecard