Malta secured a spot in the final group of the ECC Trophy, currently being played in Austria, by beating Finland by eight wickets at the Seebarn (2) ground, winning Group A in the process.

Finland batted first and lost two wickets by the 10th over for 32 runs. Ilva (43) and Roach (28) then put on a partnership of 61 runs to push the run-rate. Thurling (36) chipped in but the Malta bowlers kept things tight to restrict Finland to a total of 180 for eight in their 35 overs.

Caruana took two wickets and Naudi, Azzopardi, Dhandapani and Micallef took one apiece.

Malta's reply was steady. Opener Callus gave them a good start with 28 runs. However, brothers Frankie and Angelo Spiteri put on 112 runs to take Malta to victory. Angelo Spiteri hit a quick 38 runs, while Frankie carried his bat, just missing his century, for 97 runs.

This was a well-constructed reply and puts Malta in the final group where they meet other group winners Greece and Norway, and the second best-placed team from all groups.

Malta's fitness will be pushed to the limit as their next three matches are all of 50-over duration.