| Event: | ICC World Cricket League Division Seven 2009 |
DateLine: 28th May 2009
Bahrain and Guernsey have advanced to Division 6 of the World Cricket League, to be played in Singapore, courtesy good performances by their sides in Division 7. The teams topped the tables in and though Bahrain defeated Guernsey in the final, both still made the cut to play Division 6.
In the final of the tournament a five-wicket haul and a brilliant half-century by Qamer Saeed helped Bahrain defeat Guernsey by three wickets. With the win Bahrain finished toppers of the division and remained unbeaten in the tournament.
Batting first, Guernsey managed to post a respectable 204 for nine after a time when this total looked out of reach. The side was struggling at 81 for the loss of five wickets at one stage from where the recovery began courtesy Lee Ferbrache who compiled a good 51. He was ably supported by Kris Moherndl (35). Qamar Saeed was the pick of the Bahrain bowlers taking 5-44 while Yaser Sadeq also taking two wickets.
In reply Bahrain received a jolt early, losing Ashraf Mughal. But from here on Shazhad Ahmed (46) and Imran Sajjad (33) put on 81 for the second wicket. The duo was looking good but once more in the tournament Bahrain suffered a collapse. The batsmen just did not look good enough to cope with the spin attack of Gary Rich and Jeremy Frith on the turning wicket. The team from a strong 81-1 slipped to 119-6. From here on, the man who took a five-for with the ball started to control the innings with utmost precision. A 72-run partnership between Qamar Saeed (55 not out) and Azeem ul Haq (25) guided the side to victory.
Frith, who struck two centuries while amassing 381 runs in this week and also took 15 wickets during the event, was eventually named the player of the tournament. He had already received three Man of the Match awards in the tournament and was the most deserving candidate for the Player of the Tournament award.
In the other play-offs, Nigeria achieved third place after they defeated Japan by 68 runs in the 3rd-4th place play-off. Batting first, the African side scaled 221 losing nine wickets. Akabogu Okwudili (68) and Olajide Bejide (41 not out off just 42 balls) were the highest scorers for Nigeria. Then four wickets by Olalekan Awolowo (4-34) helped the side dismiss Japan for a paltry 153.
The 5th-6th place play-off match between Suriname and Gibraltar turned out to be a nail-biter with Suriname finally taking the winning honours by eight runs. Batting first Suriname posted a brilliant 300 on the board courtesy a spectacular knock from Troy Dudnath (130 from 90 balls). Chasing the massive total Gibraltar were also aided with supreme half-centuries from Chris Rocca (51) and Iain Latin (73) but finally it fell just eight short of the opposition total.
Gibraltar and Suriname were relegated to Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8 that will be played in 2010 while Japan and Nigeria will stay in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 event to be staged in 2011.
