Just one month after calling time on his Australian cricket career, Moises Henriques has produced a stunning century for his new nation as Portugal’s unlikely T20 World Cup dream gathers momentum.

The 39-year-old former Australian international blasted 111 from just 51 deliveries to inspire Portugal to a crushing 91-run DLS victory over Czechia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub-regional Qualifier C in Finland.

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Henriques’ spectacular innings helped Portugal pile on 211/6 before rain intervened with Czechia struggling at 24/5 after 8.5 overs.

There had been enough play to secure Portugal’s fourth consecutive victory of the tournament and continue an extraordinary start to Henriques’ international career with the country of his birth.

It comes just a month after Henriques retired from Australian cricket and switched his international allegiance to Portugal.

Henriques previously represented Australia on 44 occasions across all three formats before bringing an end to that chapter of his career.

Now captaining Portugal in his first tournament with the European nation, the veteran all-rounder has wasted little time making his presence felt.

His century against Czechia takes him to 178 runs from three innings, making him the leading run-scorer at the qualifying tournament.

Henriques has also become just the fifth player to score a fifty-plus total in T20 internationals for two different countries, joining Mark Chapman, Tim David, Corey Anderson and Nitish Kumar.

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And his remarkable international comeback could yet help Portugal take another step towards an unlikely appearance on the biggest stage.

Portugal’s four straight victories have set up a blockbuster clash with fellow unbeaten side Spain on Friday, with the winner progressing to the regional final on the qualification pathway towards the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Spain have also won each of their four matches in Group A, most recently cruising to a nine-wicket victory over Bulgaria.

But they will now have to contend with a former Australian international who has quickly emerged as the dominant batter at the tournament.

After 44 appearances for Australia, the veteran has swapped green and gold for the country of his birth – and is now one victory away from taking Portugal another step closer to a T20 World Cup.