In the history of T20I cricket, the 300-run mark was breached for the fourth time. Germany scored 308/1 against Austria in a high-scoring clash at Bayer Uerdingen Cricket Ground, Krefeld on May 1. The third-highest total in T20I history was posted while the Indian Premier League (IPL) is underway and been criticised for flat pitches favouring the batters.
Germany openers Ben Kohler-Cadmore, Pakistan-born Mussadiq Ahmed scored centuries as Germany dominated the proceedings against Waqar Zalmai-led Austria. Kohle-Cadmore and Ahmed shared a 238-run opening partnership, the second-highest in T20I history. The all-time record belongs to Japan's Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming with an unbeaten 258-run partnership against China in 2024.
Overall the record for highest T20I total belongs to Zimbabwe with 344/4 against Gambia in 2024. It is followed by Nepal's 314/3 against Mongolia in Asian Games 2023 clash.
4s and 6s rain in Krefeld
After winning the toss, Austria skipper Zalmai opted to bowl first. Musaddiq got to his half-century first. He hit a six off Irfan Safi in the fifth over to reach the milestone from just 18 deliveries. Germany scored 97 runs in the powerplay overs. In the eighth over, Kohler-Cadmore reached his fifty from 20 balls. The onslaught from openers continued in the middle overs. In the 11th over, Musaddiq reached his century from just 37 deliveries. On the first ball of the 15th over, Kohler-Cadmore did it from 38 balls.
The partnership was finally broken by Umair Tariq. Musaddiq departed for a 48-ball 122 laced with 11 fours and 10 sixes. 26-year-old Shahid Afridi arrived at the crease. he hit Tariq for two consecutive sixes. The last three overs were relatively quiet with 33 runs coming off it. Kohler-Cadmore's knock of 58-ball 133 was studded with 17 fours and six sixes. On the other end, Afridi remained unbeaten on 14-ball 34, featuring four sixes.
Karanbir’s lone fight nowhere near enough
In the run chase, Karanbir Singh started with positive intent. Zalmai couldn't do much as Sajid Liaqat made him his first victim. While Karanbir went on a ramage, wickets fell at the other end. Amar Naeem fell to Jatinder Kumar after scoring just one run from six balls. In the sixth over, Karanbir reached his fifty from just 21 balls. Austria had 64/2 after powerplay overs.
In the eighth over, Muslim Yar struck twice to dismiss Armaan Randhawa and Zeshan Arif. From the other end, Karanbir tried to keep the run chase alive, hitting Jatinder for three sixes. Afridi was brough into the attack and he delivered with Karanbir's wicket. The opener scored 84 runs from 39 balls, featuring seven fours and eight sixes.
When he departed, Austria were 110/5 in 10.4 overs. In the 13th over, Afridi struck thrice to get rid of Baseer Khan, Kumud Jha and Tariq. Ghulam Ahmadi was introduced into the act and he dismissed Safi. In the same over, Mohamad Waqar Zalamai hit Ahmadi for two sixes. On the first ball of the 16th over, Ahmadi dismissed Zeeshan Goraya, dismissing him for a single-digit score. Austria were bowled out for 146, losing the match by 162 runs.