Romania vs Bulgaria – T20 Internationals 2026 Match Report | Statz
Romania won by 30 runs in the 80th match of 102 in the T20 Internationals 2026 series at Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground, Ilfov County. Romania won the toss and elected to bat, posting 154/9 before restricting Bulgaria to 124/9. Romania lead the all-time head-to-head 8-1 with one no result – domination that shows no sign of easing.
First Innings – Romania
Romania posted 154/9 in 20 overs on the back of a controlled innings from Vasu Saini. The top order made a brisk start with Irfan Husain hitting 6 off 5 before being caught at 1.5 overs (score 15). Chamalka Fernando made 0 off 2, caught at 2.2 overs (score 16). Saini carried the innings – his 72 off 51 (7 fours, 1 six, SR 141) was run out at 16.6 overs with the score at 129, ending the main partnership anchor.
Parveen Kumar contributed 18 off 19 (dismissed caught at 8.2 overs, score 64), while Tharindu Sandaruwan Hettihewage made 9 off 10 before being stumped at 13.4 overs (score 93). Janitha Fernando hit a bright 12 off 9 (2 fours, dismissed caught at 17.3 overs, score 133), with Dilum Fernando (11* off 10) and Luca Petre (9* off 5, 1 six) seeing out the innings.
For Bulgaria, Jakob Gul was economical with 1/19 from 4 overs (Econ 4.75), and Hristo Lakov took 2/11 from his 2 overs (Econ 5.50). Prakash Mishra picked up 2/25 from 4 overs (Econ 6.25).
Second Innings – Bulgaria
Bulgaria fell well short, finishing on 124/9 in 20 overs. Isa Zaroo gave the chase early impetus with 30 off 20 (3 fours, 1 six, SR 150) before being caught at 5.2 overs (score 35). Kushaal Krishnakumar made just 2 off 9, dismissed caught at 3.1 overs (score 22). Hristo Lakov was Bulgaria’s second-best with 25 off 21 (3 fours) before being bowled at 11.5 overs with the score at 81. Jakob Gul tried to drag Bulgaria back into it with 30 off 20 (2 fours, 2 sixes) at number six but was bowled at 18.3 overs (score 120) with the target out of reach.
Romania’s bowling was accurate throughout. Irfan Husain took 2/18 from 3 overs (Econ 6.00), Vasu Saini claimed 2/11 from 2 overs (Econ 5.50), and Janitha Fernando was the most parsimonious with 1/4 from 2 overs (Econ 2.00). Dilum Fernando (1/22 from 3 overs) and Tharindu Sandaruwan Hettihewage (1/16 from 3 overs) were also among the wickets.
Statz MVP – Vasu Saini
Vasu Saini is the clear Statz MVP with an MI rating of 118.38. The formula calculates impact based on match context, and Saini’s all-round performance – 72 off 51 with the bat plus 2/11 from 2 overs with the ball – made him the decisive influence in the match. No official Man of the Match was awarded. With 208 Dream11 points he was comfortably the top fantasy scorer too.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Vasu Saini (Romania) – 208 Dream11 pts | 72 off 51 plus 2/11 – the complete all-round performance
- Hristo Lakov (Bulgaria) – 125 Dream11 pts | 2/11 from 2 overs plus 25 off 21 with the bat
- Jakob Gul (Bulgaria) – 104 Dream11 pts | 1/19 bowling plus 30 off 20 – Bulgaria’s best all-round effort
- Prakash Mishra (Bulgaria) – 68 Dream11 pts | 2/25 from 4 overs, nagging line and length
- Janitha Fernando (Romania) – 68 Dream11 pts | 1/4 from 2 overs plus 12 off 9 – value in both departments
Turning Point
The dismissal of Hristo Lakov at 11.5 overs with Bulgaria on 81 was the moment the chase became insurmountable. Bowled by Irfan Husain for 25, Lakov had been providing solidity after early wickets. With him gone, Bulgaria needed 73 from 49 balls with lower-order batters. Jakob Gul threatened briefly but his dismissal at 18.3 overs (score 120) confirmed Romania’s win.
Match Context
This was the 80th match of 102 in the T20 Internationals 2026 series. No ICC rankings table was available for this fixture. Romania have been dominant throughout this series at Moara Vlasiei – winning all four completed matches against Bulgaria this week by margins of 31 runs, 38 runs, 17 runs (D/L) and now 30 runs. Bulgaria have struggled to contain Romania’s batting, with Saini and the middle order consistently finding the boundary. Romania’s bowling variety – featuring Sri Lankan-heritage players alongside European nationals – has proved too much for Bulgaria’s top order throughout the series.
Full scorecard: statz.ai/cricket/fixtures/69918/romania-vs-bulgaria/scorecard
