Tucker guides Bermuda to sensational victory

Bermuda 125 and 311 (Tucker 123, Minors 66, Henry 4-69) beat Canada 207 and 181 (Qaiser Ali 52, Durham 3-29) by 48 runs
Scorecard

Janeiro Tucker brought Bermuda right back into the game © ICC

Bermuda produced a major upset by beating the favourites Canada by 48 runs in Toronto, putting them in pole position to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Cup.

Bermuda had seemed down and out yesterday when they slumped to 116 for 5 in their second innings, only 34 ahead, but a sixth-wicket stand of 119 between Janeiro Tucker and Dean Minors brought them back into the game. The partnership was worth 93 when play resumed and, although Minors soon fell, Tucker marshaled the tail superbly, making an outstanding 123 and giving his bowlers something to get their teeth into.

Canada, with far more experience and on home soil, were still favourites to chase 230, but that changed when Saleem Mukuddem and Kevin Huddle reduced them to 13 for 3. Sunil Dhaniram and Ashish Bagai stopped the rot with a stand of 53, but Dhaniram's departure for a run-a-ball 35 was almost immediately followed by Bagai's wicket, and at 73 for 6, Bermuda scented victory.

The game had another twist left, as George Codrinton (40) and newcomer Ali Qaiser (52) posted 91 for seventh wicket to take Canada to within 66 of their target. But Hasan Durham nipped out the tail, aided by Qaiser being run out by the narrowest of margins, to complete a remarkable turn around.

Bermuda have little time to bask in their success. They play their next match, against Cayman Islands in Toronto, on Saturday, knowing that victory will secure them a semi-final place against Kenya in Namibia. But should they draw or lose, then Canada could still pip if they were to comprehensively beat Cayman Islands when they meet next Wednesday.