ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier 2013: Italy and Denmark Qualify from Europe

Sixteen team had been confirmed who will participate in the ICC T20 World Cup qualifier as two teams from Europe Italy(as winner) and Denmark (as runner up) Qualify for the Final Round of ICC T20 WC Qualifier. The Italy defeated Denmark by 18 runs and were crowned ICC European Division 1 Champions under lights on Finals Day in Hove.Italy who won the toss and chose to bat under the lights got off to a great start, with an opening partnership of 82 by Andy Northcote and Dinidu Marage who scored 41 runs including 5 fours before being dismissed off the bowling of Syed Bashir. Andy Northcote who batted fantastically throughout brought his 50 up in 31 balls, shortly after Peter Petricola was dismissed by a brilliant catch on the boundary by Aftab Ahmed for 31 runs. Carl Sandri came and went in his opening ball being stumped by Freddie Klokker.

Italy Winning Team

Northcote whose excellent batting performance showcased many sublime shots, scored an unbeaten 68 runs from 41 balls including 10 fours. Captain Damian Crowley let loose in the final few overs scoring a quick fire 66 runs including 3 sixes. Syed Bashir, Hamid Shah and Bobby Chawla all took a wicket a piece and Italy ended on 215- 3.

The Denmark run chase took an early setback with Carsten Pedersen falling for just 2 runs in 1.5 overs. Denmark star man and leading run scorer for the tournament with 464 runs Freddie Klokker batted alongside Aftab Ahmed steadily putting on the runs. Italian captain Damian Crowley’s breakthrough came in a timely fashion trapping Ahmed lbw for 29. After some superb batting Klokker was dismissed for 58 in 36 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six leaving Denmark at 138-3 in 12.3 overs; leaving him with an average of 77.33 runs per match.

Kamran Mahmood brought his fifty up with a boundary 52 runs in 27 balls, but was shortly dismissed for 58 after being caught and bowled by Crowley whose delight was evident. Denmark’s hopes began to slip away as Hamid Shah was out for 8 and Taha Ahmed bowled by Marage for 6. Chawla was run out for 12 as wickets began to fall. In the final over needing 26 runs Denmark’s Syed Bashir was out for 6 and fell short of the total by 18 runs.

Italy’s captain Damian Crowley was delighted with the victory, “ I am pretty much lost for words, winning the tournament has been great effort and shows the character in our squad,” said Crowley.

Most Valuable Player was announced as Denmark’s Freddie Klokker who said, “ It is always nice to win prizes, but we are very disappointed with the loss. My 129 not out in the semi finals was the best I have ever batted. It was an amazing wicket here at Hove and it has been a great tournament,” said Klokker.

Italy beat Denmark by 18 runs at Hove
Italy 215-3 (20.0 overs) A Northcote 68 not out, D Crowley 66 not out, D Marage 41
Denmark (20.0 overs) F Klokker 58, K Mahmood 58; D Arsakulasuriya 2-34