Irving Romaine is confident Bermuda’s national cricket team can secure one of the World Twenty20 spots up for grabs in Dubai.

And he said yesterday’s inspiring three-wicket win against America’s rivals Canada in their final warm-up match was testament that the team have the pedigree to achieve their primary objective in the Middle East.

“It’s a good team and as long as the players are confident they should do well in this tournament,” said Romaine, who led Bermuda at the 2007 World Cup. “I’m always confident in Bermuda and if they go into it (World Twenty20 Qualifiers) mentally tough and back themselves they will do well.”

Romaine said Bermuda’s rare win over Americas powerhouse Canada will have done the team’s confidence the world of good — especially after losing to minnows Italy by two-runs in their first warm-up match the previous day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

“It was a very big result and any victory is a psychological boost,” he added. “Many people would look at it and say ‘it was just a practice game’. But every time you step on the field it’s a game you try and win. A game is a game and a victory is a victory so you can’t take it away from Bermuda for beating Canada.”

Romaine reckoned the shorter T20 format plays into the hands of Bermuda’s tall batting order.

“T20 plays to Bermuda’s strength because we have ball hitters,” he said. “Putting runs on the board shouldn’t be a problem for us and we should be confident because some of our other batsmen haven’t even fired yet.

“Dion (Stovell) is batting well and Janeiro (Tucker) had a very good knock along with Allan (Douglas). But you still have the likes of Lionel (Cann) and David (Hemp) who haven’t fired yet and hopefully they peak in time for Friday.”

Bermuda have been pitted in Group B along with Denmark, Netherlands, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Scotland.

The team will face Scotland, who beat USA (seven wickets) and Namibia (nine wickets) in their two World Twenty20 warm-up matches, tomorrow in their opening group match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Group A consists of Ireland, Canada, UAE, Namibia, Hong Kong, Uganda, USA and Italy,

This week’s warm-ups witnessed a number of upsets, including Papua New Guinea’s stunning 18-run win over Ireland who are coached by former West Indies Test batsman Phil Simmons.

“In the T20 format you will see a lot of the bigger teams fall to the smaller countries,” Romaine said. “In T20 all you need is one good over to change the game.

“If you’re fielding and give up a big over you can lose the game and if you’re batting and you have one good over you’re back in the match.”