Khaksar’s Death-Over Blitz Seals Belgium Win as Fernando Stars in Defeat

Belgium won by 8 runs – BEL 184/8 (20 ov) vs ROU 176/9 (20 ov). Match 107 of 135, Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground, Ilfov County, Romania.

Belgium held their nerve to beat Romania by 8 runs in a high-scoring T20I that went down to the final over. A stunning 28 off 9 balls from Hakim Said Khaksar in the death overs propelled Belgium to 184/8, and despite a sensational all-round display from Janitha Fernando, Romania fell agonisingly short on 176/9.

Belgium now lead the head-to-head 2-0.

Belgium Innings – 184/8 (20 overs)

Belgium won the toss and elected to bat, but it was far from plain sailing. Omid Malik Khel fell for 10 off 5 in the first over, and while Aziz Mohammad Babarkrkhail anchored with 21 off 26, wickets tumbled regularly through the middle overs.

Ali Raza hit a brisk 25 off 16 with a four and a six, but the real backbone came from Omid Rahimi, who finished unbeaten on 43 off 33 balls with 5 fours and a six – the top score of the innings. Muhammad Sheraz Sheikh chipped in with 24 off 15 including two sixes.

Then came Khaksar. Walking in at 143/7 in the 18th over, he unleashed a breathtaking assault – 28 off just 9 deliveries, smashing 5 fours and a six at a strike rate of 311. That late blitz added 41 runs in the final 2.1 overs and took Belgium from a competitive total to a daunting one.

Romania’s bowling was led by Manmeet Koli with 2/24 from his 4 overs at an economy of 6 – comfortably the best figures of the innings. Fernando took 2/26 and Vasu Saini picked up 2/42.

Romania Innings – 176/9 (20 overs)

Romania’s chase started poorly. Adrian Lascu fell for 4 in the first over, and when Ariyan Mohammed was bowled for 1 at 58/3, the required rate was climbing fast.

Vasu Saini steadied things with 28 off 25, and Ramesh Satheesan contributed 19 off 22. But it was Fernando who kept Romania in the hunt. Coming in with plenty to do, he struck 38 off 27 balls with 3 fours and a six, adding to his 2/26 with the ball for a genuine match-defining all-round performance.

Tharindu Sandaruwan launched a late counter-attack with 31 off 15 – 4 fours and a six – and suddenly Romania needed just 18 off the last 10 balls. But Faisal Khaliq and Ahmad Khalid Ahmadzai held their nerve, and Belgium’s bowlers closed it out.

With the ball, Syed Zaki Ul Hassan was excellent with 1/20 from 4 overs at an economy of 5. Faisal Khaliq took 2/41, Babarkrkhail grabbed 2/38, and Ahmadzai finished with 2/28.

Statz MVP – Janitha Fernando (124.47)

The Statz MVP rating – which calculates impact based on match context – hands the award to Fernando with 124.47, and it is hard to argue. 38 runs off 27 balls and 2/26 with the ball in a match his side lost by just 8 runs. The official Man of the Match went to Babarkrkhail for his 21 and 2/38, but Statz disagrees – Fernando’s all-round impact was the standout performance of this match.

Top 5 Statz Ratings

Remarkable that 3 of the top 5 rated players came from Romania – the losing side. Fernando’s 124.47 is one of the highest Statz MVP ratings you will see in associate cricket.

Full Scorecard

View the complete scorecard, ball-by-ball data and player ratings on Statz Cricket.