North Field (Canada won toss): Canada beat Bermuda by 39 runs

There was heartbreak for Bermuda as they missed out on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after losing to Canada.

Bermuda and Canada both finished the Americas Regional Qualifier on nine points, but the Canadians’ superior net run-rate ensured it was they, and not the local favourites, who will be appearing in the United States and the West Indies next year.

Presented with a perfect opportunity of making a return to a global event after their last appearance at the 2007 50-overs World Cup in the West Indies, Bermuda faltered when it mattered the most.

Having beaten Canada in the opening match of the tournament at White Hill Field a week before, Bermuda could not repeat those heroics in front of some of the heroes of the 2007 team, including Dwayne Leverock, Irving Romaine, OJ Pitcher and Clay Smith.

In a match reduced to 18 overs because of the weather, Canada posted 132 for four powered by 45 runs from opener Navneet Dhaliwal after they won the toss and chose to bat first.

Some brilliant bowling from man of the match, Canadian fast bowler Kaleem Sana, who picked up three wickets for four runs in 3.5 overs to finish with 15 wickets in the tournament and win the best bowler award, helped his side bowl out Bermuda for 93 runs in 16.5 overs.

Pace bowler Jeremy Gordon, who conceded 50 runs in his four overs when the two sides met at White Hill, turned things around with three wickets for just six runs in two overs.

Despite not achieving qualification, Bermuda captain Delray Rawlins, who conceded just 11 runs in his three overs, spoke highly of his team's efforts against a team made up of players from around the world.

“One team had to lose and it was us, but I take my hat off to my team,” Rawlins said.

“They fought to be in a position to win the tournament and go through to the World Cup. We’re competing against a lot of big nations and we don't have the selection of cricketers that other nations have.

“We should take a lot from this tournament. Obviously it sets us back a little bit, but I'm very proud of the boys and looking forward to what comes next.

“It was tough bowling in the wind and hitting into the wind, but it is what it is. We had to play on the day, both teams played in it and we had to find a way, but they came out on top.

“We asked the boys to put their hand up when they got the opportunity and a lot of people did. It’s unfortunate we couldn't get over the line today.”

Requiring 7.3 runs per over, Bermuda’s pursuit got off to a terrible start when off spinner Harsh Thaker struck in his first over to remove Tre Manders for one.

Off spinner Nikhil Dutta then picked up Bermuda’s two big wickets in his second over, removing Kamau Leverock for 23 and Rawlins for one.

Terryn Fray, who produced his best performance of the tournament with the top score of 30, followed in the next over when he was stumped down the leg side off the bowling of Canada captain Saad Zafar.

Allan Douglas Jr briefly gave the Bermuda innings some impetus with some powerful hitting, only to depart for 22, before Sana and Jeremy Gordon mopped up what was remaining of Bermuda’s batting to spark scenes of Canada jubilation.

Leverock, who finished with 213 runs, two wickets and some outstanding fielding, picked up the player of the tournament accolade.

The 28-year-old all-rounder’s display in the qualifier may be sufficient to get him noticed by franchises in some of the T20 leagues dotted around the globe, and he was bitterly disappointed at not taking the final step into the T20 World Cup.

“It is a hard pill to swallow, but we just have to keep going and get ready for the next one,’’ Leverock said.

“We struggled with our middle order for the better part of the tournament. I thought we would have come good today, but we have to just go back to the drawing board, do some hard work and come back stronger.”