Yahoo Sports Jersey thrash Belgium to stay top of T20 World Cup qualifier
Jersey maintained their winning record in their 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers with a 108-run win over Belgium.
Batting first Jersey made 198-7 as Charlie Brennan came in at six and hit 40 not out after Nick Greenwood made 36, Asa Tribe 33 and Jonty Jenner 31.
It was the first time in the tournament that Jersey had not totalled 200 or more, but proved to be enough as Belgium were restricted to just 90-9 in reply.
Ben Ward had figures of 4-12 while Greenwood had 2-10 as Jersey once again impressed.
The win leaves Jersey in the driving seat to make Sunday's final having recorded record victories in their opening two games against Serbia and Switzerland.
The islanders play unbeaten Croatia on Friday knowing a win will guarantee top place in the five-team pool.
Victory in the final would see Jersey through the final round of European qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup - the fifth successive time they have made the last stage of qualification for the event.
Jersey lost opener Harrison Carlyon for one off the fifth ball of the day before Greenwood and Tribe put on 62 for the second wicket.
Their partnership was ended when Greenwood was caught at point for 36 off 26 balls in the eighth over to leave Jersey on 66-2.
Tribe - who returned to the side having missed the first two games while playing for Glamorgan's second XI - went for 33 off 21 balls with the score on 76-3.
Jenner was dropped three times in seven deliveries from the start of the 10th over as he decided to attack Belgium's bowlers and hit three sixes in reaching 25 not out from his first 10 balls faced.
But the one-time 12th man for England was eventually bowled for 31 off 13 by Khalid Ahmadi as Jersey reached 111-4 in the 12th over.
The islanders continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, although Brennan's innings - which included two sixes and four fours - ensured they maintained a run rate of almost 10 an over as he and Julius Sumerauer (22) put on 49 for the seventh wicket.
Jersey started superbly in reply as Zak Tribe's diving catch dismissed Muhammad Muneeb for 0 with the second ball of the innings.
Ali Raza was brilliantly run out by Brennan with the final ball of the opening over to leave Belgium on 6-2.
Burhan Niaz produced an excellent innings as he smashed 29 off 15 balls, but when he was caught by Dan Birrell off Charles Perchard's bowling to leave Belgium on 46-4 midway through the fifth over his side's hopes began to evaporate.
Belgium lost five more wickets for just 21 runs before tailenders Sajad Ahmadzai (11 not out) and Fahim Bhatti (13 not out) put on 23 for the final wicket.
