Jimmy Powell Oval (Bahamas won toss): Bermuda beat Bahamas by ten wickets

Bermuda’s bowlers produced a sparkling display to bowl out Bahamas for just 51 runs as they secured a place in the semi-finals of the North American Cup.

Derrick Brangman and Dominic Sabir, who also took a catch on the boundary, each grabbed three wickets, with Kevon Fubler and Jermal Proctor grabbing two apiece as Bahamas went from 31 for three to 51 all out as they lasted just 13.3 of the 20 overs.

Bermuda needed just 8.5 to knock off the required runs without losing a wicket. Alex Dore hit 33 off 27 balls as he showed continued signs of getting to grips with the pitch in the Cayman Islands, while Marcus Scotland, who started in place of rested captain Terryn Fray, contributed 16.

Sabir, who picked up his second player-of-the-match award in the four group games, was surprised to have been selected as Bermuda’s star man

“I’m definitely surprised,” he said.

“I haven’t put the words together yet. It was a good team performance and I think I got man of the match just because of the momentum in the field but all round it was a good performance. That sets us up nicely for the semi-final when we are looking forward to getting back against Canada.

Sabir, who bats for Bermuda in the middle order is still adjusting to conditions in the Cayman, with the size of the field proving problematic.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,” he said. “It’s been frustrating for me coming in a bit later in the innings when the field is spread out and not hitting as many boundaries as I’m used to. But being able to adapt has been the key thing. It’s a heavy breeze down here, so targeting one side of the field and then with the ball getting the guys to hit into the breeze has just been my tactic.

Bermuda are likely to play Canada in the semi-final on Saturday if the matches on Thursday go according to form and Sabir is confident that the underdogs will put up a good show.

“It will be good practice to play Canada again as we have to beat them to qualify for the World Cup,” Sabir said.

“In terms of our team, the key is to keep it simple and if everyone sticks to their specific job then it will just be another day of cricket.”

Bermuda made three changes to the team with Scotland coming in for Fray, who has returned home to attend a wedding. Southampton Rangers captain Dalin Richardson and Onias Bascome also came in for Allan Douglas Jr and Zeko Burgess.

Sinclair Smith was promoted to captain but he did not have the same luck as the man he replaced, who had won all three previous tosses.

Bahamas captain Marc Taylor chose to bat and while his fellow opener Festus Benn remained at the crease throughout the innings, eventually finishing on 32 not out, no other batsman could offer him any meaningful support.

Taylor was caught by Rawlins off the bowling of impressive youngster Proctor for nine, but no other batter scored more than three.

Proctor picked up two wickets in an over after No 3 Ryan Tappin was caught behind for a duck.

Kervon Hinds then became the first of Derrick Brangman’s victims when he was caught by Rawlins, who then took his third catch of the afternoon, this time off the bowling of Sabir to leave Bahamas 42 for four after 9.1 overs.

From there it was a case of blink and you’ll miss it for the majority of spectators, with no Bahamas batters lasting more than six balls and the last six wickets going for nine runs.