With European qualifying for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup underway at the end of this month, several European sides are arranging bilateral series against nearby countries as they ramp up their preparations.

The series started yesterday with two games and concluded this morning. All three games were played at the Seebarn Cricket Centre, north of Vienna.

The hosts batted first after winning the toss in the opening match and scored 201-5 from their 20 overs. Mirza Ahsan top scored, clubbing 49 from just 19 balls, whilst captain Razmal Shigiwal and Mark Simpson-Parker also chipping in with 42 and 41 respectively. Hungary were then bundled out for just 96, losing by 105 runs, with only two batters reaching double figures.

It wasn’t much better for the visitors in the second game as, batting first this time, they could only score 89 before they were bowled out, again with only two batters reaching double figures. They were saved by the rain though, as it prevented Austria from being able to start their run chase and the match was abandoned.

Austria batted first again in the final match this morning and Razmal Shigiwal led the way with the bat scoring an unbeaten 95 from 47 balls as they racked up another big total. Sandeep Mohandas was the pick of the Hungarian bowlers, taking 3-26 as Austria scored 196-6 from their 20 overs.

In Hungary’s reply, Zeeshan Kukikhel played a blinder. He brought up his century in just 39 balls - the fourth fastest ever - and went on to score 137 - the fifth highest individual score and highest by an associate player - before he was finally bowled by Itibarshah Deedar.

He was dismissed with 4.2 overs still to come and Hungary held on to chase down their required target with an over to spare to win by four wickets.

Hungary will be playing in Pool C of European sub-regional qualifying. It starts in Belgium on 28th June and will also feature, in addition to the hosts, Denmark, Gibraltar, Israel, Malta, Portugal and Spain.

Austria are in Pool B which starts on 24th July. It will also feature Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Guernsey, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland. It will be played in Finland.