Canada have qualified for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup after beating the USA in Bermuda yesterday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Canada had a tricky start when Akashdeep Gill was caught behind for a duck in the first over. Another wicket followed soon afterwards before the third wicket pairing of Thursaanth Anantharajah and Arslan Khan put on 67. Both fell in quick success, which brought Harsh Thaker to the crease.

Thaker proceeded to dominate the innings, scoring 121 from 93 balls, hitting 14 fours and 5 sixes as he helped take his team to 289-8 from their 50 overs. Mohak Buch was the pick of the USA bowlers with 3-38.

The USA reply was dominated by a century of their own from Kushal Ganji. He scored 110 from 128 balls, but nobody else was able to make a big score, and he scored a little too slowly. The Canadian bowlers restricted their opponents to 252-9, Muhammad Khan taking 5-53.

Canada have therefore qualified for the Under-19 World Cup. USA's fate will be in the hands of Bermuda tomorrow when they play Canada. If Bermuda win, they'll qualify for the repechage tournament, whilst if Canada win, USA will qualify.

Canada Under-19s beat USA Under-19s by 37 runs
Somerset Cricket Club, 10 July
Canada Under-19s 289-8 (50 overs, H Thaker 121, M Buch 3-38)
USA Under-19s 252-9 (50 overs, K Ganji 110, G Sharma 40, M Khan 5-53)