Cricket

Croatia Women Defend Low Total to Edge Serbia in Tri-Series Opener

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 4, 2026, 17:00 IST

Croatia Women secured a hard-fought eight-run victory against Serbia Women in the opening match of the Women's T20I Tri-Series in Belgrade, successfully defending a modest target of 100.

Croatia Women Defend Low Total to Edge Serbia in Tri-Series Opener

Croatia Navigate Difficult Conditions to Set Target

Croatia Women opened their campaign in the Women's T20I Tri-Series in Serbia with a gritty eight-run victory at the Lisicji Jarak Cricket Ground in Belgrade. After being sent in to bat by Serbia Women, Croatia struggled to build momentum on a challenging surface, ultimately posting a total of 99/9 from their allotted 20 overs.

The innings was anchored by Helen Leko, who provided the backbone of the Croatia effort with a patient 30 off 50 balls. Support was limited, with Helena Bosnic contributing 14 off 25 deliveries as the team looked to navigate a disciplined Serbian bowling attack. The standout performer for the hosts was Jana Majski, who dismantled the middle and lower order with a clinical spell, finishing with impressive figures of 4/8 from her four overs.

Early Breakthroughs Stifle Serbia's Chase

Chasing 100 for victory, Serbia Women faced an immediate setback that defined the remainder of the contest. The turning point arrived in the very first over when Milica Perisic fell with the score at just one run. The early loss of two wickets put the home side on the back foot, forcing a cautious approach that ultimately hampered their ability to keep up with the required run rate.

Dunja Demic attempted to steady the ship for Serbia, top-scoring with 25 off 53 balls, while Maja Jevdjenovic provided some resistance. Despite their efforts to keep the scoreboard moving, the pressure applied by the Croatian bowlers proved too much to overcome. Serbia finished their innings on 91/4, falling eight runs short of the target. Alongside her stellar bowling performance, Jana Majski was a key contributor for Serbia, while Marija Trajkovic also featured among the top performers in a match defined by tight bowling and difficult batting conditions. The result gives Croatia an early advantage in the tri-series as they look ahead to the remainder of the tournament.