Malta vs Gibraltar Players & Playing XIs · T20I 2026

Malta won by 65 runs in the 67th match of 102 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season, completing a dominant back-to-back double against Gibraltar at Marsa Sports Club. Having swept the first game by 50 runs earlier in the day, Malta made it four wins from four head-to-head encounters against their island rivals – extending a record that stretches back to 2021. For Gibraltar, who have now lost both fixtures on the day, it is a chastening afternoon that leaves their T20I credentials under serious scrutiny.

First Innings – Malta 227/8 (20 overs)

Malta won the toss and elected to bat, and Mehboob Ali set the tone immediately – smashing 16 off just 5 balls at the top of the order before a catch ended his cameo at 16/1 in the 1st over. Zeeshan Khan and Priyan Pushparajan then combined to build the innings, with Pushparajan the more explosive of the pair. The stand ended at 128 when Khan was stumped for 53 off 31 (SR 171) in over 10.4 – a fine innings that formed the platform for everything that followed.

Pushparajan continued to accelerate before falling caught for 73 off 34 (5 fours, 5 sixes, SR 215) at 144/3 in over 11.5, having repeatedly cleared the ropes against a Gibraltar attack struggling for consistency. Jaspal Singh added just 6 before being stumped at 157/4, then Flynn Zahra (16 off 10) and Muhammad Ajmal (15 off 9) kept the run-rate up before falling in quick succession at 180/5 and 183/6 respectively. Shrijay Patel was dismissed caught off a substitute for 3 at 185/7, but Imran Ameer (17* off 11) and Ajin Soman (14 off 8) pushed Malta to 227/8 at the close.

For Gibraltar, Iain Latin was the standout bowler with 4/41 from 4 overs (Econ 10.25), backed by Samarth Bodha (1/35, Econ 11.67) and Kenroy Nestor (1/42, Econ 10.50). Louis Bruce and Kabir Mirpuri each took one wicket, but the overall economy was punishing throughout.

Second Innings – Gibraltar 162/6 (20 overs)

Chasing 228, Gibraltar needed a flying start and Philip Raikes provided exactly that – crashing 40 off 21 (6 fours, 1 six, SR 190) before being caught at 84/2 in over 7.1. Chris Pyle had perished earlier for 8 off 11, dismissed at 33/1 in over 3.5. Louis Bruce entered and blazed 38 off 18 (2 fours, 3 sixes, SR 211) to give Gibraltar brief hope, but his departure caught at 91/3 in over 9.1 effectively sealed the result.

Iain Latin fought hard with 31 off 29 down the order before being caught at 140/4 in over 16.3, and Kabir Mirpuri finished unbeaten on 24 off 18, but it was too little too late. Kieron Ferrary was stumped for 5 at 111/4 and Kenroy Nestor was bowled for a duck at 140/6 as Gibraltar slipped to 162/6 – 65 runs short.

Malta’s bowling was disciplined throughout. Mehboob Ali led the attack with 2/28 from 4 overs (Econ 7.00), Priyan Pushparajan chipped in with 2/27 from 4 (Econ 6.75), and Imran Ameer took 1/30 from 4 (Econ 7.50).

Statz MVP – Priyan Pushparajan

Priyan Pushparajan is the Statz MVP with a rating of 163.53. The Malta opener dominated both phases – 73 off 34 at the top of the order followed by 2/27 from 4 tight overs in the defence. Statz calculates impact based on match context, and Pushparajan delivered in both directions when it mattered most. There is no official Man of the Match for this fixture, so no disagreement to note – the Statz verdict stands unchallenged.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Priyan Pushparajan (MLT) – 163.53 – 73 off 34 with the bat, 2/27 with the ball; a complete match-winning all-round display
2. Iain Latin (GIB) – 129.46 – best of the Gibraltar attack with 4/41, then contributed 31 off 29 in a losing cause
3. Mehboob Ali (MLT) – 102.78 – explosive 16 off 5 to open, then tidied up with 2/28 in the defence
4. Louis Bruce (GIB) – 86.77 – bright 38 off 18 with the bat and a bowling wicket, Gibraltar’s most dangerous threat after Latin
5. Philip Raikes (GIB) – 68.55 – gave Gibraltar their best start with 40 off 21, but support dried up when he departed

Turning Point

Louis Bruce‘s dismissal caught for 38 at 91/3 in the 9th over was the moment the chase died. With Raikes already gone, Gibraltar needed Bruce to anchor a partnership and build toward a final assault. His departure left the middle order exposed and the asking rate – already steep – became unmanageable. Priyan Pushparajan claimed the wicket, turning in a defining moment with ball to match his earlier fireworks with the bat.

Match Context

This was the 67th match of 102 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season. Standings data for this fixture operates on ICC T20I rankings rather than a traditional league table, so no points-based standing applies. What the result confirms is Malta’s total head-to-head dominance over Gibraltar – four wins from four completed T20Is, with today’s double header extending a record held since 2021. For Gibraltar, the priority must be finding bowling consistency; 227 conceded in the second game of the day, after 231 in the first, points to a defensive structure that needs significant work. Malta head into the rest of the competition in fine form, while Gibraltar must regroup quickly.

Competition: T20 Internationals 2026 on Statz

Full scorecard: Malta vs Gibraltar Scorecard – Statz