Bermuda secure first win in ICC T20 qualifiers

DUBAI: Bermuda on Monday registered their first win of the ICC Twenty20 qualifying tournament, beating Papua New Guinea by five wickets thanks to an unbeaten 52 from Janeiro Tucker.

Tucker smashed sixes off the first three balls of the last over, as Bermuda chased down a 156 target set by the Pacific islanders in their Group A match in Dubai.

Vani Vagi Morea had earlier top-scored for Papua New Guinea with 49 not out in their 155-6 but Tucker and his 55-run, fourth-wicket stand with captain David Hemp (30 in 27 balls) helped Bermuda home with three balls to spare.

In other Group A matches, favourites Afghanistan overcame Hong Kong with ease in Sharjah, with Dollat Zadran bagging an impressive five for 14.

Netherlands won against Nepal by six wickets in Dubai while Canada beat Denmark by 55 runs in Abu Dhabi.

In Group B, an all-round performance with the bat and ball from skipper Sarel Burger (53 and 3-14) helped unbeaten Namibia beat Oman by 36 runs in a low-scoring game.

Scotland secured a seven-wicket victory against Italy thanks in part to an impressive 67 from Richie Berrington.

Ireland triumphed by 82 runs over Uganda and Kenya scored an easy nine-wicket win against the United States, with Nelson Odhiambo taking three for 14 in a blistering spell.

The top two teams in the groups play off in the first qualifying final in Dubai on March 22, with the winner guaranteed a place in the World Twenty20 competition in Sri Lanka in September-October.

The second- and third-placed sides in the groups play cross-over matches, with the winners facing off on March 23 for a second spot in the tournament. (AFP)