Bermuda suffered a ten-run defeat in their final warm-up match in Dubai ahead of the World Cricket League Division Four Tournament, which starts in Malaysia this weekend.

Bermuda, who had a win and a loss in their first two preparation matches, fell just short of the 212 posted by the United Arab Emirates Blues in 46.1 overs yesterday. Bermuda were restricted to 202 for nine in their 50 overs.

“This tour has been a massive learning curve for us,” Clay Smith, the Bermuda coach, said. “It has given us exactly what we needed in terms of proper preparation. The facilities here are first-class, the competition was good and I think the players would agree we should be leaving here having won two and lost one.”

Openers Kamau Leverock and captain Terryn Fray gave Bermuda an excellent start in their chase, putting on 58 for the first wicket in just 8.5 overs. Fray was first out for 13, before Tre Manders joined Leverock in adding 28 for the second wicket when Leverock departed for a top knock of 56 off 47 balls.

After that the wheels came off with three more wickets going down in the space of nine runs as Bermuda slumped to 95 for five after 24.1 overs. Dion Stovell (two), Manders (12) and Janeiro Tucker (two) all departed quickly.

Stephen Outerbridge (27) and wicketkeeper Okera Bascome (14) staged a recovery when they added 36 for the sixth wicket, taking the score to 131 when Bascome departed in the 35th over. Outerbridge was out four overs later on 146 before a stand of 30 for the eighth wicket between Steven Bremar and Macai Simmons gave Bermuda some hope.

The pair moved the score to 176 before Simmons departed in the 48th over, leaving Bremar and Charles Trott to fight to the end. Bremar scored 36 from 42 balls before he was ninth out two balls from the end of the 50th over. Trott finished on 16 not out. Earlier, Stovell claimed three for 36 from 9.1 overs to help restrict UAE Blues to 212. Varuna Perera was top scorer with 64, while Brendon Martis scored 48.

Bermuda will play their first match in Malaysia on Sunday when they face Denmark.

“We are all focused and anxious to do well,” Smith said. “We know it will be a very tough, competitive competition and we can’t take any team for granted. We will take this tournament one game at a time as we strive to finish in the top two with the aim of getting promoted.”