Saif-ul Islam's 91 Fires Norway to Victory
Norway have won by 24 runs. Norway batted first and posted 199/1 in 20 overs. Gibraltar, chasing 200, fell short at 175/6 in 20 overs.
Saif-ul Islam was the standout in the first innings, scoring 91* off 63 balls (SR 144). 2 sixes and 7 fours provided the impetus. The powerplay yielded 45 runs.
Louis Bruce fought hard with 53 off 35 balls, but it was not enough to haul Gibraltar over the line. The required rate climbed too steeply in the end.
With the ball, Farmanullah Ghari delivered figures of 2/32 in 4 overs (Econ 8.0). A tidy spell that kept the pressure on throughout.
Norway move up the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier B table with this win, while Gibraltar will look to bounce back quickly.
The Turning Point
Over 18 of the first innings was the inflection point — 17 runs came off it, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a total that ultimately proved too much.
Key Performers
91* off 63 balls (SR 144), 7 fours, 2 sixes
2/32 in 4 overs (Econ: 8.00)
75 off 43 balls (SR 174), 6 fours, 4 sixes
Verdict
Norway showed composure when it mattered most and deserve this victory. Gibraltar will rue missed opportunities — a 24 runs deficit could have been avoided with sharper execution in the key moments. Norway move up the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier B table with this win, while Gibraltar will look to bounce back quickly.