Micheal Leask raced the delivery from Mark Adair into the boundary ropes, handing the Scots a terrific opening to the World Cup Qualifiers at the Queen’s Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
The Scots’ captain Richie Berrington won the toss and sent the Irish to bat first. The Irish lost their star opener Paul Stirling and captain Andrew Balbirnie in quick succession in the second over of the match. The Irish had a major batting collapse as they slipped to 70/5. Fortunately, The shamrock appeared for the Irish in Curtis Campher and George Dockrell. The 24-year-old Curtis Campher scored 120 off 108 while Dockrell knocked 69 off 93. Brandon McMullen shined for the Scots’ picking up five wickets at an economical rate of 4.86.
The Irish set a target of 287 for the Scottish batters to chase. The latter also struggled with their batting. Apart from the opener Christopher McBride, The top order failed miserably, at a point plunging as low as 152/7. If Campher and Dockrell was Irish’s shamrock, Micheal Leask and Mark Watt was the Scots’. Coming in at the 6th wicket, Leask scored 91 off 61 balls while Mark scored 47 off 43. Also Read: Joe Root becomes No.1 Test batsman in latest ICC Rankings, replaces Marnus Labuchange
The game gained intensity as it came down to 8 runs off the final over with two wickets in hand. Leask drilled off a four in the first ball. In the third ball, Scotland lost yet another wicket, making them more vulnerable. With Leask on strike, Scotland required 2 off the last ball. Leask swinged Mark Adair’s delivery hard forcing an inside edge into the fences.
Scotland have this ensured a stellar beginning to the Qualifiers with two points in one game. Meanwhile, Ireland have lost both of their games so far. The Irish have three do-or-die games to ensure a top three finish and qualify for the Super Six. On the other hand, Scotland have to keep on the same momentum as competition is getting tougher in the group.
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