ICC/CricketEurope

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Despite an improved batting display by struggling Norway, Denmark registered a convincing eight-wicket victory over their Scandinavian neighbours at The Vineyard on Tuesday, thanks to an unbeaten century from Danish skipper Freddie Klokker.

Norway, batting first after winning the toss, were 112 for seven at one stage, but the last three wickets put on 94 with Shahbaz Butt, who had hitherto made 6 runs in three innings and came in at nine, hitting a defiant 51-ball 46 not out, including five fours and a six.

He was supported by Ehtsham ul Haq (23), and then by last man Abdul Ibrar (11) as Norway battled their way through to 206.

Earlier, Lars Hedegaard had removed both openers to reduce Norway to 27 for two, and then leg-spinner Bobby Chawla collected three for 34 in a ten-over spell in the middle stages of the innings.

Klokker and Michael Pedersen got the Danish response off to a great start with an opening stand of 148 – only the second century stand of the tournament – before Pedersen was caught by Shahid Ahmad off the bowling of Khalid Khurram for 59, made from 71 balls with nine fours.

Carsten Pedersen soon followed, but Soren Vestergaard stayed with his captain to the end.

Klokker’s not-out 119 came from 125 balls, and included 18 boundaries.

Denmark now meet The Netherlands in their final game, knowing that a win would put them into third place in the tournament. For Norway, their match with Italy is a final chance to redeem something from what has been a very difficult week.