Scotland trump hosts in nail-biter
… wins also for Afghanistan and Ireland
SCOTLAND prevailed in a nerve-racking contest against hosts Netherlands, winning off the penultimate ball with one wicket in hand in Amstelveen. Their chase of 235 had been dealt a serious blow when the first six wickets fell for 121, but the lower order set about pulling things back.
The recovery was led by Moneeb Iqbal, who struck a patient 63 and guided his team towards the target. He was supported by Matthew Parker in a stand of 52 and Gordon Drummond, with whom Iqbal added just as many for the eighth wicket.
With 10 needed off 13 balls, Scotland had the edge but Netherlands turned things around with two wickets off the next three balls, including Iqbal. But Drummond held his nerve during an unbeaten 33, along with No.11 Ross Lyons, to see his team through.
Netherlands’ competitive total was set up by half-centuries from Tom Cooper (87) and Bas Zuiderent, who smashed an unbeaten 55 off 34 balls to boost his team in the death overs. But, as it turned out, their efforts were inadequate.
A collective bowling effort and a solid opening performance from Paul Stirling kicked off defending champions Ireland’s World Cricket League Division 1 campaign on a successful note in Rotterdam.
Their opponents Kenya, fresh from an impasse with their board regarding player contracts, were skittled for 163, before Stirling (87), supported by an unbeaten 59 from Alex Cusack, ensured a comfortable chase. For Ireland, Trent Johnston and Cusack grabbed two wickets each to help scupper a steady Kenyan start. Alex Obanda and Collins Obuya had forged a 44-run stand for the third wicket, but the bowlers struck to bag the last eight wickets for just 60 runs.
In response, Stirling and Cusack combined in a 127-run stand for the second wicket to crush Kenya’s hopes and seal a seven-wicket win.
Afghanistan put in an admirable batting display to overcome a challenging target of 258 set by Canada in Voorburg. Captain Nawroz Mangal led the charge with an unbeaten 70, off just 58 balls, and the innings was also supported by half-centuries from opener Noor Ali and Mohammad Shahzad.
Noor and Shahzad were involved in a 87-run stand, though both fell in quick succession. Afghanistan recovered quickly from those jolts, thanks to an attacking knock from their captain, who ensured victory was achieved with eight balls to spare.
Canada’s innings had been shored up by their own captain Ashish Bagai, who top-scored with 82, and some aggression in the late overs. Afghanistan didn’t help their own cause by conceding 34 extras, but their batsmen saw off the Canadian bowlers comfortably. (Cricinfo)