Former Australian cricketer Moises Henriques marked his international switch to Portugal in emphatic fashion, smashing his maiden T20I century just three matches into his new career for the European nation.
Henriques struck 111 off just 51 deliveries against Czech Republic in the Men’s T20 World Cup European qualifier on Thursday, August 21, producing a blistering innings that featured 12 boundaries and seven sixes.
The veteran all-rounder walked in at No.3 after Portugal lost a wicket from the opening delivery but wasted little time settling into his innings. His aggressive knock propelled Portugal to 211/6 before rain intervened, with the hosts eventually securing a 91-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The result gave Portugal their fourth consecutive victory of the tournament and kept their hopes of reaching the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup firmly alive.
HENRIQUES MAKES INSTANT IMPACT
Henriques’ century is particularly significant given that he never managed to score a hundred during his international career with Australia, despite representing the country 44 times across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
The 38-year-old ended his Australian cricket career only last month before switching his international allegiance to Portugal, the country of his birth. He has now taken on the additional responsibility of captaining Portugal in his first tournament with the side.
The former Australia international has made an immediate impact. His 111 against Czech Republic took his tally to 178 runs from three innings at the qualifying tournament, making him the leading run-scorer in the competition.
Henriques’ remarkable start has added another dimension to Portugal’s qualification push. The European side have won all four of their matches so far and are now set for a crucial encounter against fellow unbeaten side Spain on Friday.
Spain have also won four consecutive games in Group A, most recently recording a nine-wicket victory over Bulgaria. The winner of the Portugal-Spain clash will progress to the regional final on the qualification pathway for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
For Henriques, the tournament represents a remarkable new chapter after more than a decade in Australian colours. Having played 44 internationals for Australia without a century, he has needed only three games in Portugal colours to produce the landmark innings.
His switch has already begun to look like a major boost for Portugal, with the veteran all-rounder combining experience at the highest level with a prolific start for his new international team. With a place in the regional final now within reach, Henriques could yet play a central role in taking Portugal closer to an unlikely appearance at the T20 World Cup.
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