North Field (Bermuda won toss): Bermuda (2pts) beat Panama (0) by five wickets

Bermuda made light work of Panama to maintain their 100 per cent record and move back to the top of the table in the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier.

Having been briefly usurped for the lead after Canada thrashed Cayman Islands in the opening match of the day, Bermuda found themselves playing catch-up for the first time in the tournament, but did it in some style.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Bermuda, with Macquille Walker brought in for the rested Cejay Outerbridge, limited their opponents to a modest 86 for nine in their 20 overs with captain Delray Rawlins the pick of the attack, taking three for ten in his four overs of left-arm spin. Fellow spinners Derrick Brangman and Allan Douglas Jr chipped in with two wickets apiece.

In response, Bermuda reached their total in just 9.1 overs, with Rawlins scoring an unbeaten 33 off 17 balls and Douglas hitting a 16-ball 23.

Rawlins, the man of the match, was happy with the way the side approached their task in an attempt to boost their net run-rate.

“We were hoping to chase it probably earlier, but that’s how it goes,’’ Rawlins said.

“The wickets were not an issue but the way we played, we were trying to get as it quick as possible. We knew we had enough batting to win the game and the main objective was to try and get there as quick as possible.

“We lost a few wickets and got there a bit later but I'm happy with the win. That’s the main objective and if we keep winning, we’ll win this tournament.

Rawlins was pleased to have led from the front but is happy with the contribution from all of his players, including debutant Walker, who picked up the wicket of Mohmad Patel.

“We just gave Cejay a rest and we thought it was nice to bring Macquille in,” he said.

“He bowled well and repaid the faith. He could probably have had two or three more if a bit of luck had went his way but we’re happy with his performance. I think there’s a lot more wickets in him for the national team.

“It’s important when you get the chance to just try and contribute to the team and that’s what guys are doing when they take the ball.

“I'm really pleased. Everyone looks pretty good and we’re carrying some good form going into what is a big two games.

While Tropical Storm Phillipe is fast approaching, Rawlins is not thinking about the implications of washouts and prefers to keep focusing on his opponents.

“I’m not really thinking about Canada too much,” Rawlins said.

“The next game is Cayman and if we win that game then we think about them. For now we’re just taking it one game at a time, one ball at a time. We’ll look to just get a win from Cayman and move on from there.”

It was again Bermuda’s spinners doing the damage with Rawlins, Douglas and Brangman again impressing.

Brangman, who became only the second Bermudian bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in T20s against Cayman Islands, is the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 11, one behind Canada’s Kaleem Sana.

Bermuda’s run chase got off to a disastrous start with Kamau Leverock, the top batsman in the tournament, bowled for four by Khengar Ahir in the first over. Tre Manders followed not long after when chopping one on to his stumps to depart for ten at the beginning of the fourth over.

Yusuf Akalwaya had a terrific opening over in which he picked up three wickets. Douglas, promoted to open the batting with Leverock, timed the ball really well until he holed out to Rahul Ahir.

After Dominic Sabir and Charles Trott departed for ducks, Bermuda were five down with 24 runs still required for the win. Akalwaya could have had a fourth wicket in his next over when Rawlins offered a chance but the bowler could not hold on to the catch.

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Rawlins and Zeko Burgess ensured that there were no further wicket losses for Bermuda, with the captain knocking off the winning runs with a boundary. Burgess showed some glimpses of his domestic form when he slammed one four and two sixes for his valuable 19 not out.