Portugal won a rain affected contest against Cyprus at Mechelen, to edge out Finland in the battle for second place in the group.

There wasn't much in it in the final calculations, as Portugal has a net run-rate of 0.45, compared to -0.31 for Finland after both had finished on five points.

The game itself was somewhat marred by two rain stoppages, firstly when Cyrus were in full flow, at 103 for 5 off 14.5 overs. The stoppage broke their rhythm as they had scored 34 from the last 11 balls before the rain came, while only managing 13 from 13 balls when play restarted.

Nimal Durayalage smashed three sixes and two fours in his 33 , which came from just 16 balls. Cypriot openers Syed Hussain (31), and Andrew Mulkern (21) shared an opening stand of 59 in 64 balls, to lay the foundations for a late assault.

Zafar Ali (3-22) was the pick of the Portugal bowlers, although Muhammad Shoaib must be commended for his economy rate, conceding just 15 runs in his four overs spell.

Any nerves Portugal had chasing a revised DL target of 124 in 17 overs were soon soothed by skipper Nadeem Butt smashing 20 from the first over bowled by his Cypriot counterpart Michalis Kyriacou. Abu Butt (0), went quickly, and the skipper followed soon after to leave the game in the balance at 39 for 2.

The crucial phase of the game came when Rizwan Khaliq was dropped twice when he had scored only 5 and 9 - the second chance the easiest of opportunities, and he certainly made Cyprus pay dearly.

He proceeded to score a match winning 53 not out from just 32 balls, which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. He survived another dropped catch on 42 - the fielder on the midwicket boundary palming it over the rope.

Portugal had reached 86 for 4 off 9.2 overs when another heavy downpour meant no further play was possible. Their margin of victory being 20 runs (D/L method).

Portugal will now face hosts Belgium, who earned their fifth consecutive win by beating Malta by 118 runs in a 19 overs per side game at Royal Brussels.

Batting first Belgium racked up an imposing total of 194 for 6, with teenager Jamie Farmiloe anchoring the innings, top scoring with 63 which included 4 fours and a six from 52 balls.
He was well supported by Shaheryar Butt (45) and Simon Newport (43).

There were significant partnerships for the 2nd wicket between Farmiloe and Shaheryar Butt, who added 61, but the real fireworks came in a 5th wicket stand of 70 run between Farmiloe and Simon Newport. The latter provided some late impetus scoring his 43 from just 18 balls (3 sixes, 3 fours).

The most exciting game of the day came at Ghent, where Austria edged out Spain in Group B, by virtue of their point gained in a tied game with Hellas.

They went into the game level on points with Spain, but knew they needed a positive result given their vastly inferior net run rate in comparison with the Iberian side.

It looked like rain might give them that point, but eventually the skies cleared to enable a 15 overs per side contest. Austria batted first and made 116 for 8, with Amar Naeem top scoring with 55 from 44 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes). He shared in a 3rd wicket stand of 52 with Satyam Subhash (21). Best with the ball for Hellas were Spyridon Goustis (2-15) and Stamatos Giourgas (2-21).

In reply, it was nip and tuck all the way, as Hellas recovered from the loss of early wickets to look poised for a win, thanks to a stand of 52 between Iordanis Kontarinis (42) and Stavros Nikitaris (16).
With 7 needed off the last over, Hellas came agonisingly close, with Goustis run out coming back for the 3rd run which would have won the game. Nandeep Soggi (2-13) and Satish Kaul (2-18) both bowled well for Austria who now take on the Isle of Man at Brussels tomorrow.