Denmark came out on top in the 6th Continental T20 Cup at Schiedam over the weekend, with wins over France, Germany, and the Pakistan Ambassador's XI

After a washed-out opening day, the 6th edition of the Continental T20 Cup saw Denmark see off Germany, France, a KNCB XI and the Pakistan Ambassador's XI to claim the trophy on Saturday with three wins and a washout from their four matches. A heroic effort from the groundstaff at Thurlede and Harga ensured that Friday and Saturday's games all went ahead despite the torrential rain of the preceding week.

Following the abandonment of their fixture against the KNCB XI at VCC on Thursday, Denmark opened their account with an 81-run win over France on Friday, a Mads Henriksen half century key to their toal of 170-4, whilst Yasir Iqbal's return of 5 wickets for just 6 runs, including a ha-ttrick, ensured France would be bundled out for just 89.

Meanwhile a five-wicket haul for Kashif Hussain inspired Germany to a surprising but emphatic win over the KNCB XI as the hosts were skittled for just 85, German skipper Rishi Pillai's 34 instrumental in the chase.

The Germans would follow up their victory with an equally comfortable win over France. Hattersheim's Muhammad Mudassar put in the tournament's finest all-round performance, taking 3 for four runs in just 3 overs before top-scoring with 62 as the Germans chased down the 110 run target in just 13.2 overs.

The KNCB's woes would continue that afternoon, sliding to a 96-run defeat against the Pakistan Ambassador's XI, with solid contributions from Akhtar, Raza, Butt and Usman taking the Pakistanis to an imposing total of 191, whilst the Dutch could manage only 95 in reply.

The following day opened with what already looked like a de-facto final as Germany took on Denmark at the top of the table. The match would prove a thriller, Denmark defending a comparatively low 114-run total by the narrowest of margins. It was Yasir Iqbal who saw the Danes to victory, taking two wickets in the final over to finish with figures of 4-17 and hold off the Germans for a one-run victory.

Meanwhile Akhtar and Butt again saw the Ambassador's XI to an imposing total, hitting 54 and 49 as the Pakistanis posted 159 all out in exactly 20 overs. The French wouldn't get close, posting just 66 as they were rolled in 17.3 overs, Wahid's 4-5 the pick of the bowling.

The Pakistanis' run would be ended by the Danes that afternoon however, despite Usman Malik's return of 4-8 in three overs holding Denmark to 111, the Ambassador's XI managed just 78 in reply, Anders Bulow taking 3-10 in 4 as the Danes completed a perfect run in the tournament.

Conversely, the French would go home winless, the KNCB XI finding their consolation win after Tim Etman's 51* and Saqib Zulfiqar's 44 had taken them to 159-4 from their 20 overs, the French falling 67 runs short in the chase.


Continental T20 Cup Results:

24-6
Germany beat KNCB XI by 7 wickets
KNCB 85-10 – GER 86-3
France lost to Denmark by wickets
FR 89-10 – DK 170-4
Germany beat France by 8 wickets
FR 109-10 – GER 111-2
KNCB XI lost to Pakistan XI
PK 191-6 – KNCB 95-10

25-6
Germany lost to Denmark by 1 run
DK 114-9 – GER 113-6
Pakistan XI beat France by 93 runs
PK 159-10 – FR 66-10
Pakistan XI lost to Denmark by 40 runs
DK 108-10 – PK 78-10
KNCB XI beat France by 61 runs
KNCB 159-4 – FR 92-7


P W L pnts
Denmark 3 3 0 6
Germany 3 2 1 4
Pakistan XI 3 1 2 2
KNCB XI 3 1 2 2
France 4 0 3 0