Belgium won the top of the table clash at Royal Brussels, beating Spain by 26 runs, in a result which would ultimately dash Spanish hopes of promotion.

Belgium produced yet another solid batting display in posting 169 for 6, with Sherez Sheikh making 38, and Shaheryar Butt 30. Skipper Andre Wagener chipped in with a quickfire 37 from just 27 balls (5 fours, 1 six), and that late surge was to prove crucial, Farhat Mahmood with 3 for 35 was the pick of the Spanish bowlers.

In reply, Spain were always up against the run rate, despite useful innings from James Morgan (27) and Muhammad Shafique (25). Talat Nadeem Ali offered some late resistance, hitting three sixes in his 26, before being the last man dismissed.

Amir Iqbal had the excellent analysis of 4 for 29, while Andre Wagener completed a fine all-round performance by claiming 3 for 24.

Isle of Man completed the group stages unbeaten, but only just after being pushed all the way by Portugal - just nine runs separating the sides at the end.

Gareth Morris went early for just four, and when Oliver Webster followed soon after, an upset looked a distinct possibility. Max Stokoe however held firm, and he made a run a ball 59 which included three boundaries. He shared in a stand of 68 with Peter Lewis (29), and helped by 18 wides, Isle of Man finished on 142 for 8. Babar Khan (3-31) the most successful bowler.

In reply, Portugal made a sedate start, and looked to have no chance when the run rate climbed to above double figures. That changed however when Zafar Ali came to the crease - he smashed 5 sixes and a four as he raced to 38 from just 17 balls, before falling to Jaco Jansen.

Daniel Hawke (3-20), and Arne van Den Berg (2-19) both bowled well, as Portugal fell at the final hurdle. The difference between the teams was the ground fielding of Isle of Man, who looked just a bit sharper, and prevented many shots which looked destined to go to the boundary.

Rain played a major role in the game between Luxembourg and Finland at Kampong. Batting first, a well disciplined Finland bowling unit restricted Luxembourg to 86 for 8 in 17 overs, with Sebastian Finch making a top score of 17.

Rain meant that Finland would need 70 in 13 overs in reply, and that proved no trouble as they coasted to the easiest of 9 wicket wins with two overs to spare. They were helped by a wayward bowling display which conceded no fewer than 19 wides. Michael Shaw (22*) and Roholah Sadiqui (15) added 40 for the first wicket, while skipper Jonathan Scamans (17*), eased his team over the line.

One can't help but feel that they may have missed a trick, as this seemed the perfect opportunity to improve their run rate, and that was to prove very costly in the final group shake up.

The Austria versus Sweden game was a quite thrilling encounter, with the Austrians proving the masters of the tight finish, claiming a one wicket win as they chased down Sweden's 154 for 6.
Sunny Sharma (83) and Bilal Zaigham (35) had shared an opening stand of 106 for Sweden, with both playing very intelligent innings, combining perfect placement with controlled aggression.

Lakmal Kasthuriarachchige hit 47 from just 33 balls (8 fours) to get the Austrian innings off to a brisk start, but two wickets apiece from Khalil and Khawaja pegged them right back. Andrew Simpson-Parker (29) and Erwin Grasinger (23) got them close, before a late wobble.

Needing four for victory, they lost two wickets in quick succession, before Satish Kaul held his nerve to score the winning runs off the last delivery of the game, to spark off scenes of great celebration from his team-mates.