Luxembourg Chase 197 With Ease as Asghar Ali Khan Blitzes 88 Not Out

Luxembourg won by 6 wickets (with 26 balls remaining) in the 108th match of 135 T20 Internationals this season at Scott Page Field in Prague. Despite a sensational 107 off 44 balls from Serbia’s Luka Woods, Luxembourg powered past their target of 197 with more than four overs to spare, thanks to an extraordinary unbeaten 88 off 38 from Asghar Ali Khan. This was the first ever T20I meeting between these two sides.

Serbia’s Innings: Woods Blitzes 107 But Support Dries Up

Luka Woods produced a remarkable individual performance, smashing 107 off just 44 balls with 9 fours and 9 sixes at a strike rate of 243. He dominated the partnership with Alexander Dizija as Serbia raced to 145-1 after 12.3 overs.

But when Woods was caught in the 13th over, Serbia’s innings fell apart. Dizija had managed just 31 off 41 balls (SR 76) at the other end, and his departure at 157-2 in the 15th over left Serbia without a platform. Braithyn Pecic (6 off 9), Adrian Dunbar (5 off 6), Vukasin Zimonjic (5 off 3) and Nemanja Zimonic (5 off 5) all fell cheaply. Matthew Kostic hit an unbeaten 22 off 12 at the death, but Serbia managed just 51 runs from their final 46 balls while losing five wickets.

For Luxembourg, Edmund Packard was the pick of the bowlers with 2/26 from 3.5 overs (Econ 6.78), while Milad Momand claimed 2/29 from four overs (Econ 7.25). Vikram Vijh was economical with 1/25 from four overs (Econ 6.25).

Luxembourg’s Chase: Asghar Ali Khan Demolishes Serbia

Luxembourg’s chase began explosively. Timothy Barker (20 off 13, SR 154) and Girish Venkateswaran (36 off 22, SR 164) put on 65 for the first wicket inside 5.2 overs. Two quick wickets fell – Barker bowled and Venkateswaran caught in successive overs – to leave Luxembourg 66-2 after 5.5 overs.

Enter Asghar Ali Khan. The right-hander launched an extraordinary assault, racing to 88 not out off just 38 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 232. He rebuilt with Shiv Karan Gill (15 off 11), taking the score from 66-2 to 130 before Gill fell LBW in the 11th over. William Cope (7 off 7) departed at 149-4, but Asghar Ali Khan and Vikram Vijh (13* off 6) sealed the deal with 26 balls to spare.

Serbia’s bowlers were expensive across the board. Luka Woods took 2/44 from four overs (Econ 11.00), while Vukasin Zimonjic claimed 2/31 from three (Econ 10.33). Mark Pavlovic went for 43 from four wicketless overs.

Statz MVP

Luka Woods takes the Statz MVP award with a match impact rating of 197.07. His 107 off 44 with the bat and 2/44 with the ball made him the most impactful player on the ground despite finishing on the losing side. The Statz algorithm calculates impact based on match context, and Woods’ extraordinary batting display was the defining individual performance of this match. No official Man of the Match was awarded.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Luka Woods (SEB) – 197.07 – 107 off 44 balls with 9 fours and 9 sixes, plus 2/44 with the ball. A stunning all-round display in a losing cause.
2. Asghar Ali Khan (LUX) – 121.41 – 88* off 38 with 12 fours and 4 sixes. The match-winning knock that powered Luxembourg home with 26 balls to spare.
3. Vikram Vijh (LUX) – 78.31 – Dual impact with 1/25 from four overs bowling and an unbeaten 13 off 6 to finish the chase.
4. Vukasin Zimonjic (SEB) – 60.26 – 2/31 from three overs with the ball, the most impactful of Serbia’s bowlers.
5. Milad Momand (LUX) – 59.72 – 2/29 from four overs (Econ 7.25). Key role in containing Serbia after Woods’ departure.

Turning Point

Luka Woods’ dismissal at 145-1 in the 13th over was the moment this match shifted. Serbia had been cruising on the back of Woods’ century, but his departure triggered a collapse of 5 wickets for 51 runs in the remaining 46 balls. What looked like a 220+ total was held to 196 – and Luxembourg made it look simple in the chase.

Match Context

This was the 108th T20 International of 135 scheduled this season, and the first ever meeting between Luxembourg and Serbia. Luxembourg won the toss and elected to bowl on a good batting surface at Scott Page Field in Prague.

For Luxembourg, this win extends a two-match winning streak after also beating Switzerland last week. Their recent form reads W, W, L, L, L – so this victory provides momentum at a key stage of the European T20I calendar.

Serbia have now lost four of their last five T20I matches, with only a win over Slovenia to show from their recent outings. This defeat means their record against Luxembourg stands at 0-1 in their head-to-head history.

Full scorecard on Statz