Navneet Dhaliwal
Going into the final day of WCL Division 2 Canada needed to beat the USA, and they did just that by 40 runs, thanks to a fine century from Dhaliwal and a good performance in the field. They failed to finish in the top four however thanks to a highly unlikely win by PNG, who at one point were 30/5 against Oman but recovered to make 221, and bowled out Oman for 76, with at one point four wickets falling in an over. This put PNG tied on points, and required Canada to restrict the USA to 211 or less to stay ahead of PNG on net run rate. Canada got agonizingly close, but a last over boundary sent Canada to Division 3. This was a good performance by Canada but relegation will place sharp focus on the national team programme that saw them lose their first three matches of the tournament. The inquests will begin, and it will be time to take account of the whole programme, from players to coaching to selectors to the Board.
The USA won the toss and put Canada in. Another poor start from Canada, though, as Thomas was caught behind in the second over for a duck off the USA star bowler, Ali Khan. Wijeyeratne fell caught at slip in his next over, and Canada were in huge trouble at 4/2. Kumar and Dhaliwal saw off the openers without further loss and the runs started to come more freely. Dhaliwal reached a well judged half-century and the hundred came up shortly afterwards in the 26th over. Kumar also reached fifty before being caught at cover, and the 125 run partnership provided the platform for a good total. Jacobs at number 5 kept up the momentum, scoring at a run a ball and helping bring up the 200 in the 43rd over. Dhaliwal reached his century, a great effort under pressure in the 45th over, and Jacobs his fifty off the next ball. Jacobs made 57 out of a 98 run partnership before he was caught behind off Ali Khan. Canada finished on 255/4 with Dhaliwal unbeaten on 121.
Xavier Marshall made a century on Wednesday but only 7 today as Eranga had him leg before in the second over putting USA on the defensive as they started their reply. Tidy opening spells from Perez and Eranga restricted the US to 35 runs from the first 10 overs. Patel was run out in the 15th over – 51/2. Taylor and Malhotra consolidated and after 23 overs USA were 94/2, and Canada desperately needing wickets. Taylor was looking comfortable but then a mix up gifted Canada his wicket through a run out. As news came through that PNG had registered a 146 run win against Oman, Canada now needed not just a win but enough of a win to keep their net run rate ahead of PNG.
A quick calculation suggested Canada must restrict USA to 211 to move ahead of PNG. Malhotra made 50 but fell to Dutta, 159/4 in the 38th over. With 10 overs left, 37 more runs from the US relegates Canada. 2 wickets in 2 balls raised Canada’s hopes, as Eranga had Silva caught, and the next man leg-before. New man Gore hit a couple of boundaries as Canada brought in the field looking for wickets. I he 7th wicket went down on 191, again to Eranga and equation came down to three wickets for 21 runs or less. Four balls later it was two wickets as Saad Bin Zafar had the American captain caught. Another catch behind took Canada to within one wicket.the last pair inched towards the critical score – a win for Canada was assured by this point. With three runs needed 8 consecutive dot balls took the match to the last over.. two runs or one wicket..Saad bin Zafar wth the ball….a dot…another dot….a single…and finally four runs to the number 11 Kenjige and Canada were done.