Israel relegated after defeat to Gibraltar

Israel's miserable run at the European Division 1 T20 Championships in Jersey continued on Saturday with a disappointing 43-run defeat to Gibraltar in the 9th - 12th placings play-off stage of the tournament.

The defeat ensures Israel will finish in the bottom two of the final standings, meaning relegation from Division 1.

Asking Gibraltar to bat first in the must-win game, Israel would have been well satisfied in restricting their opponents to 110. Captain Herschel Gutman and Josh Evans led the way with the ball, taking three wickets each whilst conceding less than five runs an over. Itamar Kehimkar starred in the field, taking three catches as well as scoring a run out.

Israel's batting had been disappointing through the tournament, but the worst was saved for the most important game. There was just one partnership of double figures and that came far too late to have any significance, Kehimkar, who top scored with 18, and David Massil (7), adding 19 for the eight wicket. But that did nothing to get Israel anywhere near their target, all out for 67 in 18 overs.