USA Secure Place in World Twenty20 Qualifier, Canada Remains Unbeaten

Scorecard: USA vs Suriname | Canada vs Bermuda
USA comfortably chased down Suriname’s total of 106 to win by 8 wickets and confirm their place in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in July this year. In the afternoon game Canada withstood Bermuda’s pressure to keep their winning streak alive.

Timil Patel collects the man-of-the-match award for his spell of 3 for 13. Photo courtesy of Bolingbrook Premier League

Suriname again started positively with the bat carrying on their improved intensity from yesterday’s match against Canada. After 10 overs with score at 61/2 they looked set to post in excess of 130. Wasim Haslim (21), Mohindra Boodram, (20) and Gavin Singh (18) all chipped in with handy contributions, however no one could capitalise on their start. The US fought back in the late overs particularly through Timil Patel, who bowled beautifully, capturing 4-13 from his four overs. Patel’s bowling, coupled with Hammad Shahid’s fielding, who finished with four catches in the deep, helped to dismiss Suriname for 106 on the final ball of the innings.

Suriname needed something special to restrict the in-form USA batsmen. It wasn’t to be however, as Steven Taylor and Fahad Babar continued their rich vein of form. Taylor and Babar combined for 61 before Taylor spooned a simple catch back to Muneshwar Patandin to be dismissed for 33 (39 balls). Baber, however, showed his maturity and willingness to finish the job as he combined with Mrunal Patel (14) and Nicholas Standford (10*) to take the USA past Suriname’s total in the 19th over. Baber finished 43 not out, the fourth time he has been undefeated for the tournament. Timil Patel ended up taking the player of the match award for his critical spell of leg spin bowling. The win has secured USA a place in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier to be played in Ireland and Scotland in July.

In the second game of the day Bermuda were looking to turn the tables on Canada from their defeat earlier in the tournament. After winning the toss and batting they lost three wickets under 30, however, Janeiro Tucker and Tre Manders steadied the ship with a partnership of 47 before Tucker was caught behind off the bowling of Nikhil Dutta. Tucker’s dismissal brought youngster Delray Rawlings to the crease, Rawlings showed his ability with the bat blasting two huge sixes in his cameo of 24 from 16 balls. Rawlings and Manders (24*) took the score past 100 before Cecil Pervez, in familiar fashion, came back into the attack to pick up two late wickets. He was again the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3-17 from his 4 overs. Bermuda finished with a competitive total of 114/7.

Canada’s run chase got off to a poor start losing leading run scorers Rizwan Cheema and Ruvindu Gunasekera in the first two overs. Nitish Kumar then followed soon after when he was caught at deep mid-off from Dion Stovell’s bowing and Canada looked in serious trouble. However, Jimmy Hansra steadied the ship with a very cool-headed innings. Hansra and Srimantha Wijeyratne paired for an unbeaten stand of 79. Hansra’s match winning 68 not out came off 59 balls and included five sixes including a huge straight hit for the winning runs. Commenting on his knock Hansra said “It was good that the middle order could stand up today, the top order has been doing the job all week. It was nice to be able to get an opportunity to bat some time and contribute.”

Today’s final day of the tournament sees Bermuda play Suriname starting at 10:00am, while Canada take on the USA. USA needs to beat Canada very convincingly to edge ahead of Canada on net run rate and clinch the tournament.

Scores in Brief:
Suriname v USA
Surname 106 from 20 overs (Haslim 21, Timil Patel 3-13)
USA 107/2 from 19 overs (Babar 43*, Taylor 33)
USA won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Timil Patel

Canada v Bermuda
Bermuda 114/7 from 20 overs (Tucker 34, Rawlings 24, Manders 23*; Pervez 3-17)
Canada 118/3 from 18.2 overs (Hansra 68*)
Canada won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match: Jimmy Hansra (Canada)

Tournament Standings: