Canada beat Surinam by 24 runs to be assured of one of the qualification spots up for grabs at the Americas T20. Forties from Cheema and Kumar took Canada to 157/8, and Surinam fell short, but not before a spirited batting performance gave Canada a scare.
The US beat Bermuda in the earlier match.
Canada batted first, and Cheema and Gunasekera (12) got them off to a good start, Cheema dominating a 59 run opening partnership. Cheema made 46 from 35 balls before he was caught in the 10th over – 69/2 at the half way point. Long grass in the outfield meant boundaries were a challenge, but Kumar and Hansra (30) scored rapidly anyway. Kumar needed just 27 balls for his 43, with only one four (and two sixes). Despite a flurry of wickets in the last few overs, Canada totalled 157/8.
Surinam, assisted by a couple of dropped catches, raced to 40 from the first four overs. A diving catch by Gunasekera broke the opening stand. Scoring slowed against Cheema, Hansra and Dutta, and Pervez continued his good form when brought into the attack late. Canada used seven bowlers but two wickets fell to run outs as Surinam fell 24 runs short.
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