Samad sets up tight Canada victory

Canada 207 for 7 (Samad 83) beat Bermuda 206 for 8 (Cann 42) by three wickets
Scorecard

A composed 83 from 86 balls from Abdool Samad - his highest score in 14 ODIs - set Canada up for a tight three-wicket victory over Bermuda in the second match of the Associates Tri-Series at St John's in Antigua, to leave the victors in high spirits ahead of their decisive showdown with Bangladesh on Wednesday - the side they defeated so famously on their last meeting in the 2003 World Cup.

Batting first, Bermuda made 206 for 8, just one run more than they made against Bangladesh in Sunday's opening fixture. And once again, they were indebted to their No. 7, Lionel Cann, who top-scored for the second match running with a remarkable 42 from 34 balls, including no fewer than five sixes. With Kevin Hurdle also teeing off to great effect with three sixes in his 10-ball 22, Bermuda recovered from a shaky 126 for 6.

The main man of Canada's attack was Umar Bhatti, who struck twice at the top and bottom of the innings to finish with 4 for 45 from 10 overs. But when Bermuda grabbed two early wickets in reply, Canada needed a steady third-wicket stand of 82 between Samad and Ian Billcliff (48) to get themselves back on track.

Even then, Bermuda weren't out of the contest, as the spinners Dwayne Leverock and, especially, Delyone Borden got in on the act. Borden dismissed both of the established batsmen en route to figures of 4 for 30, while Leverock dismissed the dangerous John Davison for 13. But Ashif Mulla was on hand to ease his side to their target with 31 from 41 balls, including four fours and a six.