Guernsey have reached the finals of the European qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup after a six-wicket win over Denmark.

Matt Stokes scored an unbeaten 67 on the P/E pitch as the Islanders won the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup European Sub-Regional Qualifier C on home soil.

After slumping to 35-4 after 5.2 overs, Denmark’s Nicolaj Laegsgaard scored a superb 62 from 35 balls and Oliver Hald scored 28 as the Danes fought back to finish their 20 overs on 158-7.

In response, Josh Butler and Stokes laid the foundation for their victory with 65 runs at the second wicket as Guernsey reached 159-4 in 18.4 overs.

Denmark were unbeaten in their tournament group, while Guernsey had won three of their four games – a surprise defeat to Finland on Saturday was the only blemish on their record.

The victory means Guernsey reaches the final regional qualifying round for the first time in their international history.

They will join their rivals from the Channel Islands, Jersey, Scotland, the Netherlands and Italy in the 2025 European Qualifiers, where the top two teams in the tournament will participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India.

Taranjit Bharaj and Hamid Shah helped Denmark to a good start before Charlie Forshaw took two wickets in two balls, while wicketkeeper Zak Damarell caught both Bharaj for nine and his replacement Shangeev Thanikaithasan for no points to take them to 22-2 after three overs.

The home bowlers continued to apply pressure and Saif Ahmad was caught by Luke Bichard off the bowling of Harry Johnson for a three-ball duck before Bichard took the valuable wicket of Danish captain Shah.

Shah, who hit a six and three fours for 22 runs off 18 balls, was the best batsman of the tournament, but after his exit the Danes were 35-4 ahead after 5.5 overs.

But Laegsgaard and Surya Anand steadied the innings with a vital 52-run stand before Anand was caught by Matt Stokes at the boundary off Martin Dale Bradley’s bowling for 17, leaving Denmark 87-5 after 12.4 overs.

Laegsgaard was outstanding – he scored 23 off Johnson’s last over to take his team to 130-5 with three overs to go.

He was eventually caught by Bichard at long-off from Bradley for 62 after hitting six sixes and two fours to leave the Danes at 142-6 with two overs to go.

Oliver Hald – who had been dismissed three times earlier in the innings – finished with 28 off 21 balls after being run out on the last ball of the innings, leaving Denmark 158-7.

Forshaw and Bradley each finished with scores of 2-35, while Bichard achieved 1-17.

The Danes started well in defending their total when Ben Fitchet was bowled by Toqeer Ahmad for seven at the start of the second over.

Josh Butler and Tom Nightingale scored 27 runs for the second wicket before the latter was caught for 13 runs off 12 balls, leaving the Islanders 35-2 after 4.4 overs.

New batsmen Stokes and Butler joined forces and started to put pressure on Denmark’s attack, taking their team over the required run rate.

The pair played some superb shots to delight the home crowd, taking 26 balls to reach their half-century score.

They eventually managed 65 runs before Butler was bowled out by Saif Ahmad for 43 runs, leaving the Islanders 100-3 midway through the 12th over.

Damarell was caught lbw by Laegsgaard for the second time shortly afterwards as captain Ollie Nightingale came out to try to calm nerves.

Stokes finished with 67 off 44 balls, including a six and six fours, while Nightingale scored 23 off 18 balls to help the Islanders comfortably reach their target with an eight-ball lead.

“It means everything,” Stokes told the ICC after the win.

“Those who have been on the team for a long time know: For 11 years we almost made it and then didn’t quite make it, but now we have finally crossed the finish line.

“We’re looking forward to playing at a really high level against some really, really good teams,” he added.

Danish captain Shah was named player of the tournament after scoring 294 runs in five matches, including 100 and 91.

“I think Guernsey outplayed us today, they played some really smart cricket,” Shah told the ICC.

“They played really well in the powerplay – both with the ball and with the bat – so they had the momentum and we were 30 runs short today.

“We’ve set the standard for the way we want to play in the future and I’m really proud of the boys. To reach the final is incredible.”