PRETORIA, South Africa, CMC – Guyanese veteran Sunil Dhaniram smashed an unbeaten hundred and steered Canada to a comfortable 103-run victory over Oman as the ICC 2011 World Cup qualifiers started on Wednesday.

Sent to bat, Canada scored 247 all out off 49.3 overs with captain Dhaniram getting an attacking 100 not out.

Dhaniram also picked up two wickets for one run when Oman replied with 144 all out off 40 overs in the Group A fixture at LC de Villiers Oval.

The 40-year-old Dhaniram scored his century off just 91 balls with 10 fours and two sixes in a dominant batting effort.

Pakistan-born opener Rizwan Cheema was Canada’s next highest scorer 64, while Tariq Hussain (5-39) and Awal Khan (3-19) were Oman’s chief wicket-takers.

When Oman replied, Farhan Khan (43) and Nilesh Parmar (38 not out) were the top scorers but Pakistan-born pacer Khurram Chauhan undermined them with four for 27 off eight overs.

Dhaniram provided solid bowling support with two for one off one over, as did medium pacer Harvir Baidwan, with two for 39.

In other Group A matches on the opening day, Uganda beat Namibia by six runs and Ireland won by seven wickets over Scotland, while in Group B, the Netherlands beat Kenya by seven wickets, Afghanistan defeated Denmark by five wickets, and the United Arab Emirates defeated Bermuda by four wickets.

Twelve countries will compete in South Africa but only the top four will qualify for the 2011 World Cup