Germany's Kohler-Cadmore and Ahmed smash centuries in record 308-run T20I blitz against Austria

Key facts

• Germany scored 308/1 against Austria, the third-highest total in men's T20I history.
• Openers Ben Kohler-Cadmore (133 off 58) and Musaddiq Ahmed (122 off 48) shared a 238-run partnership, the second-highest in T20Is.
• Shahid Afridi scored an unbeaten 34 off 14 balls and took 4 wickets for 12 runs.
• Austria were bowled out for 146, handing Germany a 162-run victory.
• The match took place on May 1, 2026, at Bayer Uerdingen Cricket Ground in Krefeld.
• Ben Kohler-Cadmore obtained German citizenship through his German mother, Anette.
• The 300-run mark was breached for only the fourth time in men's T20I cricket.

Openers' onslaught rewrites record books

Germany's openers Ben Kohler-Cadmore and Musaddiq Ahmed produced a breathtaking display of power hitting, posting 308 for 1 against Austria in the first T20I of their series on May 1 at the Bayer Uerdingen Cricket Ground in Krefeld. The total is the third-highest in men's T20I history, behind only Zimbabwe's 344 for 4 against Gambia in 2024 and Nepal's 314 for 3 against Mongolia in the 2023 Asian Games. The pair added 238 runs for the first wicket, the second-highest opening partnership in the format, falling just short of Japan's unbeaten 258-run stand between Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming against China in 2024. Both batters reached their centuries in spectacular fashion, with Ahmed getting to his hundred off 37 balls and Kohler-Cadmore following off 38 deliveries.

Kohler-Cadmore's journey to international stardom

Ben Kohler-Cadmore, the 33-year-old elder brother of English cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore, obtained German citizenship through his mother, Anette, a German national. He made his international debut in 2024 during the ICC Men's Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier, having previously represented Netherlands A, Worcestershire Second XI, Cheshire in Minor Counties cricket, and the Royal Navy. This was only his sixth T20I appearance for Germany, and his first since July 2024. His innings of 133 not out off 58 balls, featuring 17 fours and six sixes, was his maiden T20I century. In five T20I innings, he now has 220 runs at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 186.44, numbers heavily skewed by this knock.

Ahmed's blazing fifty and century set the tone

Musaddiq Ahmed, the Germany captain and Pakistan-born opener, reached his half-century off just 18 deliveries, hitting a six off Irfan Safi in the fifth over. Germany raced to 97 runs in the powerplay overs. Ahmed's century came up in the 11th over, from 37 balls, and he eventually fell for 122 off 48 balls, with 11 fours and 10 sixes, caught by Umair Tariq. His dismissal brought Shahid Afridi to the crease, who immediately struck two consecutive sixes off Tariq. Afridi remained unbeaten on 34 off 14 balls, hitting four sixes, as Germany added 33 runs in the last three overs. Kohler-Cadmore's final score of 133 came from 58 balls, with 17 fours and six sixes.

Afridi's all-round display seals emphatic win

Shahid Afridi, the 26-year-old all-rounder, not only contributed with the bat but also took 4 wickets for 12 runs, dismantling Austria's chase. Austria were bowled out for 146, handing Germany a 162-run victory. The win margin underscores the gulf in class between the two sides on the day. Austria captain Waqar Zalmai won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that backfired spectacularly as Germany's openers unleashed an onslaught. The 300-run mark was breached for only the fourth time in men's T20I history, a feat that has drawn comparisons with the high-scoring nature of the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Context and significance of the record total

The match took place amid criticism of flat pitches in the Indian Premier League, which has seen several high-scoring games. Germany's total of 308 for 1 is the third-highest in men's T20Is, behind Zimbabwe's 344 for 4 against Gambia in 2024 and Nepal's 314 for 3 against Mongolia in the 2023 Asian Games. It is only the fourth time two batters have scored centuries in the same men's T20I innings. The 238-run opening partnership is the second-highest in T20I history, with the record held by Japan's pair of Yamamoto-Lake and Kadowaki-Fleming. The match also saw 20 sixes and 28 fours hit in Germany's innings, a testament to the aggressive batting display.

What lies ahead for Germany and the Kohler-Cadmore brothers

Ben Kohler-Cadmore's performance has put him in the spotlight, but his younger brother Tom, who has played for England's limited-overs squad and various T20 franchises including the BBL, PSL, and IPL, is yet to make his international debut. Tom currently plays for Somerset in the County Championship and has scored 6,709 runs in 270 T20 matches at an average of 27.95. For Germany, this victory provides a significant boost as they continue to develop their cricketing profile. The series against Austria offers further opportunities for players like Kohler-Cadmore and Afridi to build on their success. The team's ability to post such a massive total suggests they could be a force in European cricket.

The bottom line

• Germany's 308/1 is the third-highest men's T20I total ever, behind Zimbabwe and Nepal.
• Ben Kohler-Cadmore and Musaddiq Ahmed's 238-run opening stand is the second-highest in T20I history.
• Ben Kohler-Cadmore, elder brother of Tom, scored his maiden T20I century after obtaining German citizenship through his mother.
• Shahid Afridi contributed with both bat (34* off 14) and ball (4/12) in the 162-run win.
• The match featured 20 sixes and 28 fours, highlighting the dominance of Germany's batting.
• Austria were bowled out for 146, with no batter able to mount a significant challenge.