Bermuda’s slim hopes of advancing to the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers were over before their seven-wicket defeat against Canada at the Americas Division One T20 tournament in Indianapolis yesterday.

The United States’ eight-wicket win over Suriname had already denied Bermuda any chance of securing a top-two finish required to reach the qualifiers in Ireland in July.

Bermuda, coached by Arnold Manders, watched the end of that match and then had to pick themselves up and play the unbeaten Canadians, knowing there was nothing at stake, with the US moving on to eight points, two more than Bermuda could finish with even if they won their two remaining matches.

Again, Bermuda’s batting failed to fire at the top of the order with captain Janeiro Tucker leading the innings with 34 from 46 balls before Delray Rawlins added 24 and Tre Manders 23 not out. Dion Stovell was out for a first-ball duck, trapped lbw by Cecil Pervez, Canada’s leading bowler with three for 17.

David Hemp departed for 12 and Christian Burgess for five before Tucker and Manders took the team from 27 for three to 74 for four when Tucker was dismissed in the fifteenth over.

Bermuda took two early wickets in their bid to defend their total OF 114, removing the openers in the first seven balls with just seven runs on the board. However, Jimmy Hansra ensured Canada protected their perfect record when he scored 68 not out off 59 balls. He and Wijeratne put on 79 for the unbeaten fourth wicket.

Pitcher and DeSilva, who shared the new ball, each took a wicket in their three overs while Stovell got the other.

Jacobi Robinson was the most expensive Bermuda bowler, going for 32 in three overs, while Stovell gave up 23 in 2.2 overs. Rawlins had an economical spell, conceding just 18 runs in his four overs.

It was Bermuda’s second defeat to Canada in four days, having lost to the group leaders in their second match on Monday by 34 runs after their run chase was revised to 105 in 13 overs after a two-hour rain interruption.

Earlier in the day, Fahad Babar scored 43 not out and fellow opener Steven Taylor 33 as the US easily beat Suriname with ten balls remaining.

Suriname scored 106 in their 20 overs as Timil Patel, the US spin bowler, followed up his three for 22 against Bermuda the day before to take four for 13.

An opening stand of 61 in 11.1 overs between Taylor and Babar set the stage for a successful US run chase. Taylor was first out while Babar carried his bat. Babar is the tournament’s leading scorer with 209 runs with just one dismissal in five innings.

Bermuda play their final match today against winless Suriname. The US take on Canada in a top-of-the-table clash.