Belgium Hold Off Switzerland by 16 Runs to Maintain Perfect Start to Triangular Series

Belgium won by 16 runs against Switzerland in the 103rd match of 134 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season, played at the Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Ilfov County, Romania. Switzerland won the toss and elected to bowl, but Burhan Niaz’s outstanding 71 off 49 powered Belgium to 184/8 before their bowlers held firm to restrict the Swiss to 168/7.

This was Belgium’s third consecutive win in the Romania tri-series, having already beaten Romania and Hungary earlier in the tournament. For Switzerland, it was their first defeat after wins over Romania and Hungary on the opening day. The first ever meeting between these two sides produced a competitive contest but Belgium’s batting depth proved the difference.

First Innings – Belgium 184/8 (20 overs)

Belgium’s start was shaky. Ali Raza fell first ball for a duck, caught off the bowling without troubling the scorers. The FOW data shows the score at 0/1 after just 0.1 overs – the worst possible beginning.

Walid Sahibzada (17 off 13, 1 four, 2 sixes) and Hadisullah Tarakhel (23 off 11, 2 fours, 2 sixes) counter-attacked aggressively. Tarakhel struck at 209 before falling at 48/3 in the 5th over. Muhammad Sheraz Sheikh was bowled for 4, and Belgium slipped to 57/4 in the 6th over.

That brought Burhan Niaz together with Omid Malik Khel (21 off 16, 4 fours). The pair rebuilt through the middle overs before Malik Khel departed at 88/5 in the 10th over. Hakim Khaksar (21 off 16, 3 fours) provided another useful contribution in a partnership that took Belgium to 143 before he fell in the 17th over.

Niaz was the anchor throughout, striking 8 fours and 3 sixes in his 71 off 49 (SR 145) before being trapped LBW at 183/7 in the 20th over. Omid Rahimi chipped in with an unbeaten 10 off 6 including a six.

For Switzerland, Ashwin Vinod was the pick of the bowlers with 3/37 from his 4 overs (Econ 9.25). Malyar Stanikzai was the most economical of those who bowled multiple overs, taking 2/18 from 3 overs at 6.00. Raihan Stanikzai picked up 1/35 from 4 overs, while Harsha Deshan took 1/14 from 2 overs.

Second Innings – Switzerland 168/7 (20 overs)

Switzerland needed 185 to win and lost Numan Ahmadzai (13 off 7, 2 sixes) early at 15/1 in the 2nd over. But Raihan Stanikzai (23 off 12, 5 fours, SR 192) launched a blistering counter-attack, racing to 23 off just 12 deliveries before being caught at 50/2 in the 6th over.

Sahil Tarakhel was the backbone of the Swiss chase, scoring 57 off 45 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes, SR 127). But he struggled to find consistent support. Harsha Deshan was trapped LBW for 7 at 79/3 in the 8th over, and Diyon Johnson was bowled for 5 at 90/4 in the 12th over.

When Malyar Stanikzai was run out for 1 at 91/5, also in the 12th over, the chase was in serious trouble. Tarakhel and Naim Stanikzai (24 off 21, 2 sixes) rebuilt with a 74-run partnership for the sixth wicket that brought Switzerland back into the contest, but the required rate climbed too high. Tarakhel fell caught at 113/6 in the 15th over, and when Naim Stanikzai was run out for 24 at 165/7 in the 20th over, the game was done.

Isaac Stewart finished unbeaten on 27 off 17 (1 four, 1 six, SR 159) but ran out of partners to get Switzerland close enough.

Syed Zaki Ul Hassan led Belgium’s bowling with 2/33 from 4 overs, while Ahmad Khalid Ahmadzai also took 2/32 from 4 overs. Ravi Thapliyal was the most economical, conceding just 22 from his 4 overs (Econ 5.50) for 1 wicket.

Statz MVP

The Statz MVP is Raihan Stanikzai (Switzerland) with a match impact rating of 78.49. Despite finishing on the losing side, Stanikzai’s all-round contribution – 23 off 12 balls with the bat (SR 192) plus 1/35 with the ball – earned the highest impact score in the match. The Statz MI rating calculates impact based on match context, and Stanikzai’s explosive batting during the powerplay chase plus his bowling contribution edged out Burhan Niaz (75.02) and Ashwin Vinod (76.12). No official Man of the Match was awarded.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Raihan Stanikzai (CHE) – MI rating 78.49 – All-round impact: 23 off 12 (SR 192) with the bat, 1/35 with the ball. His explosive start to the chase set the tone even in defeat.
2. Ashwin Vinod (CHE) – MI rating 76.12 – Best bowling figures of the match: 3/37 from 4 overs. Broke the Belgian innings open with three key wickets.
3. Burhan Niaz (BEL) – MI rating 75.02 – Top scorer of the match: 71 off 49 (8 fours, 3 sixes, SR 145). The innings that built Belgium’s winning total.
4. Syed Zaki Ul Hassan (BEL) – MI rating 57.08 – Tidy bowling performance of 2/33 from 4 overs to keep the Swiss chase in check.
5. Hadisullah Tarakhel (BEL) – MI rating 56.04 – Quick-fire 23 off 11 (SR 209, 2 fours, 2 sixes) gave Belgium early momentum after a first-ball wicket.

Turning Point

The dismissal of Sahil Tarakhel for 57, caught in the 15th over with the score at 113/6, was the moment the match tilted decisively in Belgium’s favour. Tarakhel had held the Swiss chase together through a difficult middle period and his departure meant the lower order needed 72 off 34 balls – a task that proved beyond them despite Isaac Stewart’s late cameo.

Match Context

This was the 103rd match of 134 in the T20 Internationals 2026 season, part of a triangular series in Romania featuring Belgium, Switzerland and Hungary. Belgium have now won all three of their matches in the tournament – beating Romania, Hungary and Switzerland. Switzerland had won their opening two matches against Romania and Hungary before this defeat. The result gives Belgium the early advantage in the series standings heading into the second round of fixtures.

Full scorecard available at statz.ai.