T20 World Cup Qualifier | Doom for Netherlands, Canada as the race to qualify intensifies
Getty
Both the groups are thrown wide open as the Dutch faced their first loss against a resurgent Papua New Guinea side and Canada slumped to their first defeat against Hong Kong. Elsewhere, hosts UAE managed to win comfortably against Nigeria and the Scottish thumped Bermuda to win convincingly.
Netherlands vs Papua New Guinea
Netherlands batted first and putting runs on the board was the main objective. However, they lost three wickets in the powerplay and could never really gather any momentum throughout the innings. Charles Amini was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 24 off his four overs. Sese Bau was also impressive with a wicket and a run-out. The Dutch were restricted to just 126 in their 20 overs.
Needing 127 runs to win, a steady start was needed. After surviving some early close shouts, Tony Ura and skipper Asaad Vala gave a good start to Papua, putting up 47 runs for the first wicket. Roelof van der Merwe caused problems for the batting side as they lost two quick wickets. But Sese Bau with a breezy 26-ball 34 ensured that Papua New Guinea were home and dry, handing the Dutch their first defeat of the tournament.
UAE vs Nigeria
The hosts put in Nigeria to bat first and the latter were hopeful of gaining their first points in the tournament. However, their quest did not start well as they were robbed early by some quality bowling from Junaid Siddique and skipper Ahmed Raza, reducing the Nigerians to 22 for 3. Chimezie Onwuzulike and Joseph Adedeji made sure that the Nigerians did not lose any further wickets with knocks of 46 and 51 respectively, but could not provide that late flourish as Nigeria managed to post a total of just 111 in their 20 overs.
In reply, debutant Zawar Farid broke the back of the chase with a quick 55 off 35 balls. Wickets continued to tumble at one end, but Mohammad Usman with his 11-ball 20 runs made sure that UAE achieved the target with more than seven overs to spare, ensuring boost to their net run rate.
Hong Kong vs Canada
Batting first, Hong Kong were in a spot of bother at 24 for 3 having just lost their skipper. But Kinchit Shah proved to be the dependable man for Hong Kong as he managed to score 59 off 48 balls, with useful contributions from Waqas Barkat, Haroon Arshad and keeper Scott McKechnie to help Hong Kong reach a respectable total of 150 in 20 overs.
In reply, Canada were not able to string a good partnership together as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Nasrulla Rana was the chief destroyer with figures of 3 for 25 in his four overs. In the end, efforts from Rizwan Cheema and Abraash Khan were all in vain as Canada fell 33 runs short, facing their first defeat of the tournament.
Scotland vs Bermuda
Facing shock defeats to Singapore and Papua New Guinea, Scotland needed to make a statement of intent as they faced a Bermuda side who were on a winless streak. Batting first, Scotland were dominant as Callum MacLeod smashed a 37-ball 74 that included 9 fours and 2 sixes. Opener George Munsey assisted him with a well-made 51. Late cameos from Ollie Hairs and Richie Berrington ensured that Scotland posted a daunting total of 204 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Bermuda lost wickets in the powerplay and were not able to build a strong partnership. Mark Watt was the standout bowler with figures of 2 for 18 in his 4 overs. Rawlins tried to keep Bermuda in the hunt even though wickets were falling at the other end. The left-hander hit a quick 46 off 21 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. But in the end, the target proved too much as Bermuda extended their losing streak with a 46-run loss.
