Bermuda loses to Afghanistan

TUESDAY, MARCH 20: Bermuda lost its final Group A game, this time to Afghanistan, as the group stage ended in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai.

The island finished with a 1-6 record after losing to Group A winner Afghanistan by 15 runs. Bermuda avoided finishing last as the Denmark had a worse net run rate at -2.008 to Bermuda’s -0.990.

Afghanistan batted first and Karim Sadiq built a solid foundation for them when he hit Kamau Leverock for three fours off his first four deliveries.

Mohanhammad Shahzad picked up the pace for Afghanistan after the openers fell with an unbeaten 64 as his side raced to 177 runs in its allotted 20 overs.

Dion Stovell once again took two wickets for Bermuda, but was more expensive today in giving up 38 runs in his four overs. Sammy Robinson, Rodney Trott and Joshua Gilbert all took one wicket with Trott being very economical by allowing the Afghanis just 13 runs in his four overs.

Stovell and Fiqre Crockwell opened the batting for Bermuda, but the island’s run chase was set back immediately when Stovell was caught on the third ball. Lionel Cann had a brief cameo and managed 17 runs in his 13 balls.

Crockwell did manage 34 runs, but in 40 balls, which was never going to challenge the 8.85 run rate Bermuda needed and the island fell further behind the chase.

Both captain David Hemp and Trott reached double figures with 18 while Leverock was unbeaten on 21 from 12 balls at the end of the match.

Janeiro Tucker was Bermuda’s high man with 37, which included four straight sixes off the legspin bowling of Samiullah Shenwari.

Bermuda’s next match will be on Thursday as they take on the US, who finished sixth in Group B.