The busiest European international summer since pre-Covid times got underway in Almeria, Spain as Guernsey and Norway played each other in the first match of a men’s T20I tri-series that will also involve the hosts.

Norway won the toss and chose to bat first at the Desert Springs ground. With domestic cricket not having started in both nations - save a warm-up in Guernsey - both sides were unsurprisingly looking a little rusty.

Guernsey initially looked to be well on top, strangling the run-rate as Norway were restricted to just 38 runs for the loss of four wickets from the first ten overs. When Muhammad Sher Sahak came to the crease with the score on 50-5 with 7.1 overs left, Norway were looking dead and buried.

But the number seven batter swung the game around in fine style. Managing to get back on strike whenever he was off it and playing a mixture of inventive and ferocious strokes when on strike he clubbed an unbeaten 70 from just 29 balls. It was the second highest men's T20I score ever by a number seven and helped take his team to a total of 137-7, a much more challenging target for the Channel Islanders than seemed likely when he came to the crease.

Guernsey struggled in reply with none of their batting line-up able to get a start or pull off the sort of comeback innings produced by Sher Sahak. They were restricted to 100-7 from their 20 overs, losing by 37 runs.

Three matches are scheduled for tomorrow. Hosts Spain will make their tournament bow first up as they take on Norway, with Norway also in action in the second match as they look for another win over Guernsey. The day will conclude with Guernsey taking on the hosts.