Canada are closing in on the CWC Challenge League A title after the opening round of matches in the final leg of the tournament in Malaysia.

They took on Qatar today in Bangi, choosing to field first after Saad BinZafar won the toss. It proved to be a smart decision as Qatar quickly found themselves 11-4 then 41-7 as the Canadian bowlers took control.

Ikramullah Khan and Gayan Munaweera put on 58 for the eighth wicket with the former going on to score 53 before he was the ninth wicket to fall. Kaleem Sana took the last three wickets to fall to finish with 5-27 as Qatar were bowled out for just 146.

Nicholas Kirton top scored in the Canadian reply with an unbeaten 65 as they secured a four wicket win with 19.5 overs to spare.

Canada's only rivals for the title - Denmark and Singapore - both lost their opening matches. Denmark were bowled out for 159 by hosts Malaysia today who then knocked off their target in 35.3 overs, though they lost eight wickets in the process.

Singapore played the opening match yesterday against Vanuatu. Amjad Mahboob (4-20) and Vinoth Baskaran (3-31) bowled well to get Vanuatu out for just 144 but Vanuatu bowled even better to bowl their opponents out for 123. Nalin Nipiko was the pick of their bowlers with 5-38.

After a rest-day tomorrow, play resumes on Tuesday. Canada will take on Singapore knowing that a win will secure the Challenge League A title and progression to the World Cup Qualifier play-off with the bottom four teams of CWC League 2 and Challenge League B winners Jersey. Malaysia play Vanuatu in the other match.