Czech Republic Crush Luxembourg by 37 Runs as Grover Smashes Stunning Century in Prague

Czech Republic won by 37 runs against Luxembourg at Scott Page Field, Prague, in the 115th match of 143 in T20 International cricket this season. Sahil Grover‘s magnificent 116 off 55 balls and Sabawoon Davizi‘s match-defining all-round display powered the hosts to a commanding victory, levelling the head-to-head with Luxembourg at 1-1 after the visitors had won their previous meeting by 2 wickets just two days earlier.

First Innings – Czech Republic 224/8 (20 overs)

Czech Republic’s innings was built almost entirely around Grover’s explosive century. Mohammad Ratul Khan anchored the opening stand of 57 in 5.2 overs before falling LBW for 13 off 13 balls. Sabawoon Davizi then joined Grover and the pair put on 77 for the second wicket from just 38 deliveries. Davizi contributed a rapid 45 off 25 (5 fours, 2 sixes) before falling caught at 134/2 in the 12th over.

Grover continued his assault, smashing sixes at will on his way to 116 off 55 – an innings featuring 13 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 211. He was involved in every meaningful partnership, adding 22 with Sazib Bhuiyan (13 off 5, 2 sixes) and 49 with Ritik Tomar (13 off 8) for the fifth wicket. A death-overs wobble saw Czech Republic lose three wickets for 8 runs – Tomar caught at 208/5 (17.2), Divyendra Singh LBW first ball at 208/6 (17.3), and Rhuturaj Magare run out at 212/7 (18.1) – before Grover himself was finally bowled at 216/8 in the 19th over.

Luxembourg’s bowlers toiled. Milad Momand conceded 65 from his 4 overs (Econ 16.25) and Vikram Vijh went for 51. Kamal Soukhiya was the pick of the attack with 2/19 from 4 overs (Econ 4.75), while Edmund Packard chipped in with 2/39.

Second Innings – Luxembourg 187/8 (20 overs)

Luxembourg’s response got off to the worst possible start when Timothy Barker was caught for a duck off just the second ball of the innings (0/1, 0.2 overs). Girish Venkateswaran (8 off 6) helped steady things briefly before William Cope exploded into life, smashing 51 off just 20 deliveries (8 fours, 2 sixes, SR 255) to briefly make the chase look possible.

Cope’s dismissal at 67/3 in the 5th over triggered a devastating slide. Shiv Karan Gill (4 off 6) fell at 72/4 and Asghar Ali Khan (9 off 7) was bowled at 89/5, leaving Luxembourg in deep trouble at the halfway mark. Vikram Vijh counter-attacked brilliantly with 48 off 24 (4 fours, 3 sixes, SR 200), dragging Luxembourg back to 137/6 before he was bowled in the 13th over. Two quick wickets – Packard caught at 151/7 (15.2) and Soukhiya caught at 153/8 (15.4) – ended any lingering hopes. Anoop Orsu (23* off 25) and Jatin Madan (12* off 11) added an unbeaten 34 for the ninth wicket but the equation was long gone.

Sabawoon Davizi was superb with the ball, returning 2/17 from 4 overs (Econ 4.25). Sudesh Wickramasekara took 2/26 from 4 overs (Econ 6.5) and Saqlain Saqib Mukhtar snared 2/22 from his 2 overs.

Statz MVP – Sabawoon Davizi (142.2)

Sabawoon Davizi earned the Statz MVP award with an mi_rating of 142.2 – reflecting a genuine match-winning all-round performance. His 45 off 25 with the bat helped Czech Republic past 200, and his 2/17 with the ball strangled Luxembourg’s middle order at the critical stage of the chase. Statz calculates impact based on match context, and Davizi’s influence across both innings was comprehensive. No official Man of the Match was awarded for this fixture.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

1. Sabawoon Davizi (CZE) – 142.2 – 45 off 25 with the bat and 2/17 with the ball. Dominated both innings with bat and ball to earn the MVP nod.
2. Sahil Grover (CZE) – 128.6 – 116 off 55 (13 fours, 6 sixes, SR 211). The highest individual score of the match and the backbone of Czech Republic’s 224.
3. Vikram Vijh (LUX) – 103.3 – 48 off 24 with the bat (SR 200) and 1/51 with the ball. Lone resistance in the chase that briefly kept Luxembourg alive.
4. Kamal Soukhiya (LUX) – 99.9 – 2/19 from 4 overs (Econ 4.75). Luxembourg’s most economical bowler in a tough day for their attack.
5. William Cope (LUX) – 91.5 – 51 off 20 (8 fours, 2 sixes, SR 255). A blistering cameo that briefly turned the chase into a contest.

Turning Point

William Cope‘s dismissal at 67/3 in the 5th over was the moment this chase unravelled. Cope had blasted 51 off just 20 balls at a strike rate of 255 – the only Luxembourg batter matching the required rate of 11.2 per over. His departure triggered a collapse of three wickets for 22 runs in the next 3 overs, taking Luxembourg from 67/3 to 89/5 and leaving the lower order an impossible equation despite Vijh‘s valiant counter-attack.

Match Context

This was the 115th match of 143 in T20 International cricket this season, played at Scott Page Field in Prague. The result levels the head-to-head between Czech Republic and Luxembourg at 1-1, after Luxembourg had won their first encounter by 2 wickets just two days earlier. Czech Republic’s form is strong – they have won three of their last four matches including a 104-run demolition of Serbia the previous day. Luxembourg, despite this defeat, remain competitive in the European T20I circuit with recent wins over Serbia and Switzerland.

View the full scorecard on Statz