CRICKET-QUALIFIER-Canada clinch T20 World Cup spot after Bermuda stumble.

Bermuda's worst fears were realised when they stumbled at the final hurdle, as Canada trounced them by 39 runs to clinch their spot in next year's Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and United States.

In a contest reduced to 18 overs per side due to rain at the National Stadium, Bermuda failed to chase down 133, collapsing to 93 all out in the penultimate over.

Bermuda entered the final fixture of the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Final in pole position after defeating Canada in the tournament opener a week ago and then playing unbeaten to top the table. However, Canada also played undefeated since their opening loss, while racking up a superior net run rate.

The scenario left Saturday's game was a do-or-die affair for both teams, after Friday's penultimate round of games were washed out by heavy rains associated with the passage of Tropical Storm Philippe.

Choosing to bat first, Canada battled their way to 132 for four with opener Navneet Dhaliwal top-scoring with 45 from 38 deliveries and Barbadian Nicholas Kirton blasting a ten-ball unbeaten 26.

Dhaliwal, a 34-year-old right-hander, struck four fours and a six as he put on 28 for the first wicket with Aaron Johnson (15), 28 for the second wicket with Pargat Singh (9) and a further 39 for the third wicket with Harsh Thaker (21).

When Dhaliwal perished at the start of the...