T20: Bermuda campaign ends with a whimper

Bermuda ended their World Twenty20 qualifying campaign with a disappointing 25-run defeat to Papau New Guinea at the ICC Academy in Dubai this morning.

Their bid to reach the finals in Bangladesh had started well with victories over Scotland and Denmark but five straight defeats since then means they finish Group B in seventh, with only Denmark below them.  

Papua New Guinea posted 168 for five from their 20 overs thanks largely to a 64 not out by Mahuru Dai off 42 balls, which gave them the upper hand. Malachi Jones (two for 28 and a runout) and Dion Stovell (one for 28) were the pick of the bowlers.

In response, Bermuda made promising progress through David Hemp (64) and captain Janeiro Tucker (42) but slumped from 106 for two to 127 for eight before reaching 143 for nine at the end of their 20 overs.

Afghanistan, Netherlands and Nepal qualify from Group B for the first playoffs to decide the first four teams going to Bangladesh. Scotland and, thanks to this win, Papua New Guinea finish in fourth and fifth spot tp qualify for the second set of playoffs to determine the final two teams to line up in Bangladesh.