91Èȱ¬

Guernsey returned to winning ways in their 2026 T20 World Cup qualifying tournament as they beat previously unbeaten Estonia by five wickets.

The Sarnians - who suffered a surprise four-run loss to Finland on Saturday - restricted Estonia to 99-8 from their 20 overs as Harry Johnson took 3-18 and Charlie Forshaw 3-31.

Estonia had been 18-3 in the sixth over before Habib Khan and Bilal Masud (13) put on 24 for the fourth wicket.

The Estonians took three quick wickets to leave them on 47-6 before Khan, who went on to score 39, and Stuart Hook (18) had a seventh-wicket stand of 42.

But the Baltic side's batters struggled as just three made double figures as they failed to break 100.

In reply Guernsey lost Ben Fitchet for six early on, but Josh Butler and Tom Nightingale had a 44-run second-wicket stand.

Nightingale was bowled by Habib Khan for a 16-ball 34 that included two sixes to leave Guernsey on 66-2 off 6.4 overs.

Butler went on to make 29 before being caught just over two overs later with Guernsey on 79-3.

Zak Damarell was bowled for seven by Sahil Chauhan before his replacement Ollie Nightingale was trapped lbw with the very next ball as Guernsey were left on 92-5 midway through the 12th over.

But Matt Stokes (18 not out) and Luke Bichard (5 not out) guided Guernsey to their target as they made 102-5 from 12.1 overs.

Hosts Guernsey began their campaign with an impressive eight-wicket win over Bulgaria last Wednesday before beating Malta by the same result a day later.

The victory means Guernsey will top the group and make Wednesday's final unless Estonia can record a big win over Malta in their final game or Finland can do likewise over winless Bulgaria to overhaul the islanders' superior run rate.

The side finishing top will play the best side in the tournament's other group on for the final spot in the European regional final next year.

Scotland, Netherlands, Italy and Jersey are already through with the top two sides from the tournament qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup.