Finland Cruise Past Norway by 36 Runs as Padhaal and Tambe Dominate in Stockholm

Finland won by 36 runs in the 86th match of 120 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season, played at the Botkyrka Cricket Center in Stockholm. Finland have now won three consecutive T20I matches, while Norway have slipped to two defeats in their last three outings after their impressive 78-run victory over Austria yesterday. This was the first-ever T20I meeting between these two Nordic sides, and Finland made it count emphatically.

First Innings – Finland Post 177/7

Norway won the toss and elected to bowl, but Finland made them pay with a commanding batting display anchored by Vanraaj Padhaal. Opener Aniketh Pusthay got things moving with 16 off 13 balls (3×4) before falling caught with the score on 37 in the 5th over.

Padhaal and Faraaz Mehti Abbas (23 off 20, 3×4) rebuilt with a 57-run partnership for the second wicket before Abbas was caught at 94 in the 11th over. Zahidullah Kamal came and went quickly – bowled for 2 off 4 balls at 110 in the 14th over – but Padhaal kept the scoreboard ticking with authority.

Faheem Nellancheri provided useful late impetus with 25 off 18 balls (2×4, 2×6) in a partnership worth 49 with Padhaal before falling caught at 159 in the 18th over. Padhaal’s innings of 84 off 58 balls (8×4, 3×6, SR 145) was the backbone of the innings, and he was finally run out at 173 in the final over. Finland lost three wickets in the last two overs but had already done enough damage, finishing on 177/7.

Muhammad Shahbaz Butt was the pick of the Norway bowlers with 1/28 from 4 overs (Econ 7.00), while Ahmadullah Shinwari took 1/32 from 4 but leaked 6 wides. Walid Ghauri (1/31 from 3, Econ 10.33) and Farmanullah Ghari (1/34 from 4, Econ 8.50) also chipped in with a wicket each, but 178 was always going to be a steep target.

Second Innings – Norway Collapse to 143/9

Norway’s chase started brightly with openers Khizer Ahmed (16 off 20, 2×4) and Mohammad Saif-Ul Islam (23 off 15, 2×4, SR 153) putting on 43 before Ahmed fell caught in the 6th over. Then came the collapse that killed the chase – Walid Ghauri was lbw for a golden duck at 43 (5.5 overs), and Akhter Pacha Sher was run out for 0 at 44 (6.2 overs). Three wickets for one run in the space of four balls left Norway reeling at 44/4.

Chaudhary Akram (30 off 29, 1×4, SR 103) and Faisal Raza (42 off 28, 2×4, 3×6, SR 150) fought back with a stand of 71 that gave Norway hope. But Mahesh Tambe ripped through the middle and lower order, and once Akram was bowled at 115 in the 15th over, the game was effectively done.

Faisal Raza kept swinging, smashing three sixes, but his catch at 126 in the 17th over ended any realistic pursuit. Tambe finished with outstanding figures of 4/28 from 4 overs (Econ 7.00), while Amjad Sher was equally impressive with 2/26 from 4 overs (Econ 6.50). Nicholas Salonen chipped in with 1/19 from 3 (Econ 6.33), and Muhammad Junaid Khan added 1/29 from 4 with a maiden. Norway limped to 143/9, falling 36 runs short.

Statz MVP – Vanraaj Padhaal (81.91)

Vanraaj Padhaal takes the Statz MVP award with a match impact rating of 81.91. His 84 off 58 balls was the defining innings of the match – eight fours, three sixes, and a strike rate of 145 that made 177 possible on a surface where no other batter passed 42. The Statz match impact formula calculates impact based on match context, and Padhaal’s contribution was head and shoulders above the rest. No official Man of the Match was awarded.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Vanraaj Padhaal (FIN) – 81.91 – 84 off 58 (8×4, 3×6, SR 145). Anchored the entire innings and made the total what it was.
2. Mahesh Tambe (FIN) – 79.09 – 4/28 from 4 overs (Econ 7.00) plus 4* with the bat. Broke the chase wide open with four wickets.
3. Faisal Raza (NOR) – 64.58 – 42 off 28 (2×4, 3×6, SR 150). The only Norway batter who seriously threatened Finland’s total.
4. Amjad Sher (FIN) – 59.17 – 2/26 from 4 overs (Econ 6.50). Tight and penetrative from the top, set the tone for the bowling effort.
5. Nicholas Salonen (FIN) – 50.73 – 1/19 from 3 overs (Econ 6.33) plus 8 off 2 with the bat. Contributed with both bat and ball.

Turning Point

The three-wicket burst in the 6th over proved decisive. With Norway well placed at 43/1 after a promising start, Khizer Ahmed was caught at 43 off the 5th over’s 4th ball. Then Walid Ghauri was trapped lbw for 0 at 43 off the very next ball (5.5 overs), and Akhter Pacha Sher was run out for 0 at 44 in the next over (6.2 overs). Three wickets fell for just one run, turning 43/1 into 44/4 and leaving Norway’s chase in ruins before the powerplay was even done.

Match Context

This was the 86th match of 120 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season, and the first-ever T20I between Norway and Finland. Finland continue their excellent form in this Nordic tri-series at the Botkyrka Cricket Center, recording their third consecutive win after beating Austria (11 Jun) and Sweden (12 Jun). Norway’s defeat follows their dominant 78-run win over Austria yesterday, making this a reality check against stronger opposition.

Norway’s recent form reads W-L across their last two outings, while Finland have won their last five T20Is dating back to May. With the series continuing in Stockholm, Finland look the team to beat in this Nordic cluster.

View the full scorecard on Statz