The Norway vs France clash marks the opening game of the Portugal T20I Tri-Series 2026, setting the stage for an exciting start to the tournament featuring competitive European sides aiming for early momentum.
The match will be played on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the Santarém Cricket Ground, Portugal, with the first ball scheduled for 09:00 AM GMT (2:30 PM IST), promising an energetic beginning to the series.
This preview takes a closer look at team form, key players, pitch conditions, and squads ahead of this important tournament opener.
Norway vs France, 1st Match: Overview
The 1st match of the Portugal T20I Tri-Series 2026 promises an exciting start as Norway faces France in the tournament opener.
Here is a quick overview of the match.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Norway vs France (Match 1) |
| Series | 2026 Portugal T20I Tri-Series |
| Date | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
| Time | 09:00 AM GMT / 02:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Santarém Cricket Ground, Portugal |
| Last Meeting | Norway won by 22 runs (Viking Cup, 2025) |
Norway vs France: Squads
The Norway and France squads for the Portugal T20 Tri-series include a mix of experienced players and young talent, with both teams aiming to start the tournament on a strong, confident note.
The following are teh squads playing for both teams:
Norway Squad:
Raza Iqbal (c), Khizer Ahmed (wk), Faisal Raza, Ahmadullah Shinwari, Qamar Mushtaque, Wahidullah Sahak, Irfan Mushtaq, Hassan Mehmood, Usman Arif, Noman Safi, Sheraz Ahmad, Shahzad Tanveer, Vinay Ravi, Muhammad Sher Sahak
France Squad:
Usman Riaz (c), Jamal Ali (wk), Noman Amjad, Zain Ahmad, Pirakajan Pirabakaran, Lingeswaran Canessane, Zaheer Zahid, Rahmatullah Mangal, Usman Khan, Bilal Hassan, Iqbal Hossain, Mukhtar Ghulami, Dawood Ahmadzai, Ahmadzai Dawlatza
Norway vs France, 1st Match, Portugal T20I Tri-Series 2026: Key Players To Watch
The Norway vs France T20 Tri-series opener features several dependable performers capable of making early contributions and setting the tone for their teams in this important tournament fixture.
Here are the players to watch, whose skills and match awareness could influence key moments and shape the result of this exciting opening clash.
| Team | Player | Role | Key Stats & Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | Raza Iqbal (C) | All-Rounder | Veteran leader with 524 runs and 35 wickets in 31 T20Is. Known for disciplined bowling and valuable all-round performances. |
| Norway | Khizer Ahmed (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Reliable top-order batter with 624 runs in 33 matches. Strong behind the stumps with 25 catches and 6 stumpings. |
| Norway | Ahmadullah Shinwari | Bowler | Left-arm medium pacer with 24 wickets in 28 matches. Known for economical spells and useful lower-order batting. |
| Norway | Qamar Mushtaque | Bowler | Experienced strike bowler with 44 wickets in 34 matches. Often provides key breakthroughs in the middle overs. |
| France | Usman Riaz (C) | Captain | Leads France with strong tactical awareness, especially managing their spin-heavy bowling attack. |
| France | Jamal Ali (WK) | Wicketkeeper | Reliable gloveman who supports the middle order with steady batting contributions. |
| France | Noman Amjad | All-Rounder | Key performer with 256 runs and 22 wickets in 27 matches. Effective in pressure situations and death overs. |
| France | Zaheer Zahid | All-Rounder | Emerging player known for tight medium-pace spells and powerful finishing ability with the bat. |
NOR vs FRA Match 1: Weather Forecast
Weather conditions in Santarém, Portugal, on Sunday are expected to remain mostly favorable for cricket.
The day will be cloudy with a high of 27°C, while nighttime conditions will turn clear with temperatures dropping to 11°C.
Rain interruption looks unlikely, with only a 10% chance of precipitation throughout the day and evening. Winds will remain light at 4 mph from the east, and humidity around 55% should provide comfortable playing conditions for both teams.
NOR vs FRA Match 1 Santarém Pitch Report
The Santarém Cricket Ground usually provides a fair surface for both batters and bowlers. Teams can expect competitive totals, with conditions supporting steady scoring and disciplined bowling throughout the match.
| Category | Pitch Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | Balanced surface offering a fair contest between bat and ball |
| Batting Conditions | Compact outfield and moderate boundaries encourage attacking stroke play |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 170 runs historically |
| Bowling Advantage | Disciplined bowling is rewarded, especially during afternoon sessions |
| Pace vs Spin Success | Pace: 68.42% wickets • Spin: 31.58% wickets |
| Toss Factor | Even results — 50% wins batting first, and 50% wins bowling first |
Norway vs France: Head-to-Head in T20
Norway (ICC Rank: 42) and France (ICC Rank: 52) share an evenly matched rivalry in T20Is, with both sides winning two matches each, making this opening clash highly competitive.
Here is a quick look at their T20 performance:
| Category | Norway | France |
| Total Matches Played | 4 | 4 |
| Wins | 2 | 2 |
| Last Meeting Result | Won by 22 runs | Lost by 22 runs |
| Last Match Tournament | Viking Cup 2025 | Viking Cup 2025 |
| Last Match Total Defended | 138/5 | — |
NOR vs FRA Match 1: Live Streaming Details
You can watch the Norway vs France, 1st Match, Portugal T20I Tri-Series 2026 live on Willow TV, which is expected to provide official streaming coverage for international viewers following the tournament.
For real-time updates, you can also follow live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and match summaries on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo, which provide continuous match coverage and detailed information throughout the game day.
Norway vs France, 1st Match, Portugal T20I Tri-Series 2026: Winner Prediction
Norway enters this match with slightly better recent form, winning four of their last five T20Is. Their balanced lineup and recent head-to-head win give them added confidence.
France remains capable of causing an upset, especially if their top order delivers early runs. However, their recent inconsistency puts them under pressure in this opening clash.
Prediction: Norway holds a slight edge with stronger pace options and better overall momentum heading into Match 1.
