Guernsey beat Sweden in first T20 World Cup qualifier

Guernsey began their 2028 T20 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 12-run win over Sweden in Cyprus.

Batting first, Guernsey scored 151-8 from their 20 overs before bowling out their opponents for 139 with two balls to spare.

Guernsey will face Malta in the second of four pool games on Sunday.

Should they win their pool, they will play the other group winners for a place in the final round of European qualifying next year.

Guernsey lost Lucas Barker and Tom Nightingale cheaply as they were reduced to 8-2 off the first eight balls.

But Josh Butler and Matt Stokes settled any nerves with an impressive 85-run partnership for the third wicket before Butler was bowled for 43 off 32 balls.

Stokes hit two sixes and four fours in a 41-ball knock of 51 before he was caught at the end of the 14th over with the score on 106-4.

Skipper Ollie Nightingale made 14 while Martin Dale Bradley hit 12 as Guernsey reached 151-8.

Five of Guernsey's bowlers went on to take two wickets apiece as they restricted the Swedes in their reply.

Yatharth Chauhan's 48 off 40 balls was the highlight of the innings as Sweden lost wickets at regular intervals.

A 30-run eighth-wicket stand gave the Swedes some hope as Zabiullah Zahid smashed three sixes and a four in a 10-ball knock of 25.

But once he lost his wicket, the momentum ended and they were bowled out for 139 with two balls left.