Canada clinched a place in next year’s Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh after claiming their third straight victory in a high-scoring match.

The win keeps alive Bermuda’s hopes of advancing to a second qualifying tournament later this year in Nepal against the second place teams in other ICC regions, though their task will be a tough one, having to beat the unbeaten Canadians today in St David’s.

Yesterday, Canada scored the highest total in the tournament, 289 for 8, with middle-order batsman Harsh Thaker posting the biggest individual score, 121 off 93 balls with 14 fours and five sixes. Thaker came to the crease with his side 81 for 4 in the 24th over, and after losing partner Muhammad Khan with the score 108 in the 30th over, he shared in two big stands that carried Canada to their formidable total.

First, Thaker and wicketkeeper Sarbjot Silva, who made 31, added 80 for the sixth wicket in 11 overs, before Thaker put on another 57 for the seventh wicket with Miraj Patel.

Mohak Buch, one of six bowlers used by the US, claimed three for 38 from seven overs while Karan Patel, who shared the new ball, had figures of two for 47 from nine overs.

The US, who were skidded out for 109 by Bermuda on Thursday, made a gallant run chase with the opening pair of Yadunandan Polisetty and Buch putting on 31 in 3.5 overs when Buch departed for 16. Srihari Dasarathy joined him four runs later and Polisetty went in the 15th over to make it 78 for 3 as Canada fought back.

However, a fourth wicket of 106 between Kushal Ganjo and Gauranshu Sharma lifted the US to 184 by the 37th over when Sharma was stumped for 40.

Ganji went on to complete the game’s second century, scoring 110, but by the time he was dismissed in the 49th over the game was all but in the bag for Canada, after they removed Alex Shoff, a century maker against Canada on Tuesday, in the 39th over and Ganji on the last ball of the 48th over.

Muhammad Khan, back to bowl the last over, claimed three wickets with his third, fourth and last deliveries to finish with five for 53 to deny the US a crucial second victory in the tournament which would have all but secured them second spot.

Now Bermuda will attempt to do what neither they nor the US have managed to do in the last week, beat Canada.

n Canda’s senior team had less joy yesterday, losing to Kenya by seven wickets at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Scotland.

Canada squandered a good start, slumping from 89 without loss after nine overs to 145 for 5. Kenya knocked off the runs with nine balls to spare.