Kuwait, Germany, Zambia and Vanuatu make WCL Div. 8 play-offs

Kuwait dominated once again on day three of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8 after ripping through Bhutan's batting line-up and skittling the Asian side for just 31 runs.

Meanwhile Vanuatu, Germany and Zambia all secured wins and thus progress through to the next stage of Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 8 which will be played on Thursday. Zambia will face in-form Kuwait in the first promotion play-off while Germany will face Vanuatu in the second.

The four losing sides from today, Suriname, Bahamas, Gibraltar and Bhutan are all relegated out of Pepsi ICC WCL Div. 8. Gibraltar will take on Bhutan while Bahamas will face Suriname on Thursday in a series of cross-over matches.

Kuwait rounded off the group stages of the competition with another victory this time defeating Bhutan by eight wickets after Tshering Dorji's side failed abysmally with the bat at Sulabiya ground.

Not one player managed to make double figures as Saad Khalid ripped through the batting line-up, ending the match on 6-15. His bowling partner Mohammed Murad didn't go away empty handed either, claiming the remaining four scalps of the Bhutan side.

The destruction of Bhutan's batting line up for a mere 31 runs, saw Kuwait take to the field in the morning sunshine and knock-off the runs in just 5.1 overs but not before Bhutan had managed to snaffle two wickets.

Lobzang Yonten and Tandin Wangchuk both managed to re-arrange the stumps of the opening batsmen Hisham Mirza and Irfan Bhatti and thus making the final few runs came to Abid Chaudhry and Mohammed Akhudzada - who did so with ease.

Man of the match for the second time this tournament Khalid said, "Today was another easy match for us just like the first day of the tournament against Suriname. My bowling just went right for me today, I'm not a selfish player I'm in it for the team and the fact I took so many wickets today is pleasing.

"We've only really been challenged by Vanuatu so I'm looking forward to our play-off game where hopefully we can be challenged a bit more."

Meanwhile in the other Group A fixture of the day Vanuatu bounced back from Monday's defeat to beat Suriname by four wickets after wicketkeeper Trevor Langa struck the winning runs.

Suriname had started well with the bat, scoring 139 after some strong performances from Mohindra Boodram but the bowling and fielding of Vanuatu proved too much for the South Americans, who have not won any matches in the group stages.

Patrick Matautaava once again proved his worth with the new ball claiming 2-19 while Aby John snatched three wickets with his useful slower ball.

When the time came for Vanuatu to bat, Damien Smith led from the front with a strong 46 but was run out by Brahma Prasad. Simpson Obed once again added runs as did Matautaava who added 28 to the total, the latter earning himself a second man of the match award.

However, it was up to Langa and Frederick Timakata to knock the final runs off the board which they did with easy and brought Vanuatu a deserved victory.

Coach Mark Coles said, "It's always nice to come away with a victory and the team performed better today in the field and Patrick Matautaava was once again strong with bat and ball which is a positive thing.

"We can't be complacent though, we face Germany on Thursday and they've proved to be very strong with the bat so we need make sure we keep out bowling tight and our fielding on target."

Suriname coach Kumar Rampat was disappointed but the loss but looked upon the positives. "We may not have won any of our group matches but as a team we have certainly improved since the first game of the tournament. We bowled well today and took some good catches," he said.

"We now need to focus on the play-offs on Thursday, which is something we very much want to do," he added.

In Group B - Germany secured its place in the play-offs and a match against Vanuatu after it defeated Bahamas by 106 runs.

All week the Germans have been proving their worth with the bat in the Kuwaiti sunshine and today was no different with Rishi Pillai scoring a half-century and opening batsmen Milan Fernando and Asif Khan both providing runs to the total of 258.

Robert Ford took the majority of the wickets for the island, walking away with 4-43, but Shanaka Perrera also proved to be useful claiming 2-15.

After the innings break at the Unity ground the Bahamas came out blazing, scoring 80 without loss before the wicket fell of opener batsman Mark Taylor. From that point none of the team dazzled with the bat especially once Kashif Haider had got his teeth into the side.

The 32-year-old legbreak bowler was the in-form bowler dismissing eight of the Bahamas side, including key top-order batsmen Greg Taylor, Narenda Ebanayake and Dwight Weakley. The Bahamas side seemed tempted to hit numerous deliveries by Man of the Match Haider into the safe hands of the German fielders.

Man of the match Haider said, "I haven't been taking too many wickets lately and to walk away with eight today and help my team to its third win is a great feeling.

"I just hope our good form continues ahead of Thursday's game against Vanuatu so that we can go onto qualify for Division 7 next year."

In the final fixture of the day Zambia made light work of Gibraltar despite a valiant effort from Kieron Ferrary who hit his first century of the tournament.

Safraz Patel's side lost the toss and were sent into bat by Christian Rocca - a decision the Gibraltarian may have regretted after the side set an imposing total of 286. Allan Nsensha and Ashraf Lulat put on an opening partnership of 166 before Nsensha departed for 77.

The pick of Gibraltar's bowlers had to be Mark Bacarese who walked away with 3-39 in his eight overs including one maiden.

When the time came for Gibraltar to chase the side was held together by the 124-ball 105 from Ferrary after nobody else in the side managed to score over 20 runs.

Zambia's Gladson Kandela was once again on target with the new ball - taking 4-25 including the key wicket of Ferrary.

Gibraltar captain Rocca said, "It's obviously disappointing to have not won any of our games here in Kuwait but we've got to remain positive and make sure we finish on a positive note.

"I was particularly pleased with the performance of Kieron Ferrary today, he showed us he is definitely one for the future of Gibraltar cricket."

Tomorrow is a rest day with play resuming on Thursday with the play-offs.