Bermuda on cusp of regional final
Sri Lankan-born Sacha De Alwis smashed a tournament-record 150 not out as Cayman Islands laid down a big marker yesterday heading into the business end of the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
With tournament favourites Bermuda enjoying a second successive rest day, Cayman closed the gap to the leaders to one point with a 159-run drubbing of Brazil at the St Albans Club ground.
De Alwis, by some distance now the leading scorer at this tournament, continued his blistering form during a 67-ball assault that included 13 sixes and seven fours.
On the back of unbeaten fifties against Bahamas and Mexico, the 32-year-old, whose pedigree is such that he was selected by the Dambulla Giants in the 2022 Lankan Premier League, has amassed 310 runs in six innings at an average of 103.33. The next highest batter is Bermuda’s Tre Manders with 148.
De Alwis and Akshay Naidoo (53 not out) put on 178 for the second wicket as Cayman blasted 224 for one in their 20 overs before off spinner Alessandro Morris claimed four for seven to help skittle Brazil for 65.
Cayman can become the first team to advance to the regional final next year if they beat hosts Argentina this morning at Hurlingham Club.
Terryn Fray’s Bermuda side, meanwhile, will be expected to book their ticket in the 2pm start at Belgrano Athletic Club when they return to action against Bahamas.
Bermuda won by nine wickets and by 140 runs in their two previous match-ups.
In other action on Saturday, Bahamas beat Surinam by 26 runs in a low-scoring affair, Belize downed Panama by seven wickets and Argentina saw off Mexico by 23 runs to leave four teams contesting three qualifying spots heading into the final two rounds today and tomorrow.
Match 25
St Albans Club (Cayman Islands won toss): Cayman Islands 224-1 (20 overs; S De Alwis 150 not out, A Naidoo 53 not out); Brazil 65 (13.2 overs; L Muller 29; A Morris 4 for 7). Cayman Islands (2pts) beat Brazil (0) by 159 runs.
Match 26
Belgrano Athletic Club (Bahamas won toss): Bahamas 97 (19.2 overs; E Duff 31, F Benn 25, K Hinds 20; K Jaikaran 3 for 22); Surinam 71 (17.3 overs; X Smith 20). Bahamas (2pts) beat Surinam (0) by 26 runs.
Match 27
St Albans Club (Panama won toss): Panama 103 (19.3 overs; A Ahir 26, Y Ebrahim 23; M Castillo 6 for 16); Belize 104-3 (13.5 overs; L Bonner 70 not out). Belize (2pts) beat Panama (0) by seven wickets.
Match 28
Belgrano Athletic Club (Mexico won toss): Argentina 121-8 (20 overs; A Ferguson 34 not out; Shoaib Rafiq 3 for 18); Mexico 98 (19.5 overs; P Mohanarangam 27; H Fennell 3 for 14). Argentina (2pts) beat Mexico (0) by 23 runs.
Today’s games
Belize v Brazil (Belgrano Athletic Club, 9.30am).
Argentina v Cayman Islands (Hurlingham Club, 9.30am).
Bahamas v Bermuda (Belgrano Athletic Club, 2pm).
Mexico v Panama (Hurlingham Club, 2pm).
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