SCOTLAND booked their place in the ICC World Twenty20 play-offs despite being defeated in dramatic circumstances by the United States in their final qualification match.
The U.S. snatched a seven-wicket win after passing the total of 161 set by Kyle Coetzer’s side with just one ball to spare.
However, Scotland still qualified for this week’s play-offs after finishing third in Group B, behind Namibia and Ireland, with Kenya just missing out due to a poorer net run rate.
Namibia will face Afghanistan, the only other side with a perfect record of seven wins and winners of Group A, in the 1st Qualifying Final to decide who will play in the World T20. Scotland captain Coetzer won the toss and decided to bat, with his side putting on 161 for eight from their 20 overs.
Wicketkeeper Jan Stander (58) top-scored for the Scots but right-arm seamer Usman Shuja (three for 39) did most of the damage and restricted them to the achievable target.
U.S. openers Steven Taylor (40) and Aditya Mishra (62) laid a firm foundation in the run chase, with captain Mishra the last man out as his side reached 162 for three.
Ireland completed their Group B programme with a 44-run victory over Oman.
Ireland had already assured themselves a place in the play-offs with a heavy win over Uganda on Monday and followed it up with a comfortable win courtesy of Gary Wilson’s unbeaten half-century.
The Irish made a total of 160 for five from their 20 overs, Wilson hitting 52 from 38 balls which included three sixes, with Paul Stirling (35) and Kevin O’Brien (32) also chipping in.
In reply, Oman reached a score of only 116 for six from their allotted overs despite Jatinder Singh top-scoring with an unbeaten knock of 56.
Boyd Rankin trapped Zeeshan Siddiqui leg-before for two runs in the third over, before Max Sorensen (two for 20) and O’Brien (two for 29) did the damage.
Ireland lost their opening game by four runs to Namibia but have since won six matches on the trot.
Oman end the tournament as the only side without a win after their seven matches.
Scotland and Ireland make up two of four sides who will enter a play-off system to decide who contests the Preliminary Final, the winners of which will also compete in the World T20, which starts in Sri Lanka on September 18.
Scotland will play Netherlands, who made sure of second spot in the group with a comprehensive 83-run win over Hong Kong yesterday, in their semi-final.
Ireland will play Canada, who beat Nepal by 18 runs in their final game.
Final-day results:
Group A
Afghanistan beat Bermuda by 15 runs.
Afghanistan 177-5, 20 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 64, Gulbodin Naib 26 not out, Asghar Stanikzai 26, Mohammad Nabi 22, Karim Sadiq 22; Curt Stovell 2-38)
Bermuda 162-7, 20 overs (Janeiro Tucker 37, Fiqre Crockwell 34; Aftab Alam 3-23)
Netherlands beat Hong Kong by 83 runs.
Netherlands 201-5, 20 overs (Stephan Myburg 68, Michael Swart 38, Tom Cooper 42; Roy Lamsam 2-35)
Hong Kong 118-7; 20 overs (James Atkinson 64; Tom Cooper 2-8, Tim Gruijters 2-11)
PNG beat Denmark by 14 runs.
Papua New Guinea 148 all out, 20 overs (Geraint Jones 46, Mahuru Dai 36; Aftab Ahmed 6-22)
Denmark 134 all out, 20 overs (Michael Pedersen 38; Willie Gavera 3-25)
Canada beat Nepal by 18 runs.
Canada 101-8, 20 overs (Jimmy Hansra 29 n.o; Paras Khadka 2-15)
Nepal 83 all out, 18.2 overs (Sharad Vesawkar 28; Junaid Siddiqui 3-13)
Group B
Kenya beat Uganda by 48 runs.
Kenya 167-3, 20 overs (Collins Obuya 57 not out, Alex Obanda 46, Rakep Patil 25)
Uganda 119-8, 20 overs (Jonathan Sebanja 26, Frank Nsubuga26; Shem Ngoche 3-20, James Ngoche 2-15)
Ireland beat Oman by 44 runs.
Ireland 160-5, 20 overs (Paul Stirling 35, Gary Wilson 52 not out, Kevin O’Brien 32; Rajeshkumar Ranpura 2-24)
Oman 116-6, 20 overs (Jatinder Singh 56 not out; Kevin O’Brien 2-20, Max Sorensen 2-29)
Namibia beat Italy by 27 runs.
Namibia 194-2, 20 overs (Raymond van Schoor 73 not out, Gerrie Snyman 78, Craig Williams 25 not out)
Italy 167-8, 20 overs (Gareth Berg 47, Alessandro Bonora 40 not out; Louis van der Westhuizen 2-29, Sarel Burger 2-29)
USA beat Scotland by seven wickets.
Scotland 161-8, 20 overs (Jan Stander 58; Usman Shuja 3-39)
USA 162-3, 20 overs (Steven Taylor 40, Aditya Mishra 62; Jan Stander 1-16. (Eurosport/PA Sport)