Gunasekera scripts Canada's third win

A punishing knock by opener Ruvindu Gunasekera set up a thumping 72 runs victory for Canada over Bermuda in a Group A match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Gunasekera clobbered 10 fours and two sixes in a 48-ball 83 which propelled Canada to an imposing 175 for six in 20 overs. A hapless Bermuda was then bowled out for 103 in 19.3 overs to remain winless after four matches.

In contrast, it was Canada's third win in the tournament after it earlier defeated PNG (by seven wickets) and Hong Kong (by nine wickets). It's only loss has been to the Netherlands by 43 runs on the opening day of the tournament whose final will be played on 24 March. Canada's remaining matches in the first round are against Afghanistan, Oman and Denmark.

Gunasekera made full use of Bermuda's decision to bowl first after winning the toss by knocking the ball cleanly to all parts of the park. He not only kept his end intact but also made sure that the scoreboard kept after Canada slipped from 61-0 to 80-3. For the first wicket, Gunasekera added 61 runs with Hiral Patel (12) and then added 43 runs for the fourth wicket with Jimmy Hansra (10).

A 16-ball cameo by Tyson Gordon then made sure Canada finished with a flourish and batted Bermuda out of the match. Gordon belted three fours and two sixes in a 39 not out as Canada scored 49 runs off the last three overs.

Group A

Canada beat Bermuda by 72 runs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Canada 175-6, 20 overs (Ruvindu Gunasekera 83, Tyson Gordon 39 not out; Rodney Trott 2-14, Curt Stovell 2-15)

Bermuda 103 all out, 19.3 overs (Lional Cann 33; Rizwan Cheema 3-16, Manninder Aulakh 2-11)

Man of the match Ruvindu Gunasekera