Samad powers Canada to victory 27 Feb 2007 By: Zac Gelman

A mature and calculated innings by Abdool Samad, saw Canada beat Bermuda by three wickets in their ICC Tri-Series match in Antigua.

Bermuda won the toss and elected to bat first. Whilst they were able to keep the runs flowing, constant wickets were falling, mainly due to some tidy and consistent bowling from the Canadians.

The highlight of the Bermuda's innings was an explosive cameo from Lionel Cann who scored 42 from an incredible 25 balls, including five sixes and one four. This helped repair Bermuda's innings after their top order failed to impress.

Bermuda finished their innings with 206 runs from their 50 overs. The pick of the Canadian bowlers was the ever improving Umar Bhatti, who took 4 wickets, conceding 45 runs. Bhatti, only 23, has a very bright future in front of him.

In reply, Canada never looked worried. Abdool Samad played a superb innings, for a career best ODI score of 83, which included nine fours and one six. He had help from fellow batsmen Ian Billcliff (48) and Ashif Mulla(31), guiding Canada home with six overs to spare.

To their credit, Bermuda's bowlers did their best to get back into the game and never gave up, but in the end the total their batsmen had set was not large enough to defend. Delyone Borden also played a career best innings in an ODI, taking 4/30, but it was not enough to secure the win.

The third match of the series takes place on Wednesday in Antigua, featuring Bangladesh against Canada.

Bermuda 206
Lionel Cann 42, Saleem Mukuddem 30
Umar Bhatti 4-45, John Davison 1-20, Sunil Dhaniram 1-23

Canada 207/7
Abdool Samad 83, Ian Billcliff 48
Delyone Borden 4-30

Canada won by three wickets