Scotland wary of ‘dangerous’ UAE in WCQ Super Sixes opener

Fresh from keeping their oneday international status this week, the UAE and Scotland will lock horns in their first Super Sixes match at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe today.

Both sides progressed from the group stage of the competition this week, keeping alive their 2019 World Cup hopes, but also ensuring an uninterrupted flow of funds from the International Cricket Council (ICC) needed to continue developing the game in their respective countries.

The UAE collected two wins from four of their group games, while Scotland emerged victorious in three matches with one tied.

But the Emirates will not take any points with them into the Super Sixes since their victories came against Papua New Guinea and the Netherlands, neither of whom made it out of the group stage.

Compare this to Scotland, who keep three points – two from their win over Afghanistan and one after the tie against Zimbabwe – given both qualified for the next stage.

The other sides to progress include West Indies and Ireland, both of whom beat the UAE.

As things stand, West Indies are on four points, Zimbabwe level with Scotland on three, Ireland two and Afghanistan level with the UAE on zero.

Given this scenario, and the fact that only two teams can qualify for next year’s tournament in England, the UAE will go into today’s game in Bulawayo with a numerical disadvantage.

But Scotland are not taking any chances against Rohan Mustafa’s men, with captain Kyle Coetzer hoping to use the experience of playing in these conditions to their advantage. “We know they [the UAE] are a dangerous and a tough team, and can’t be taken lightly,” Coetzer told the ICC website.

“Hopefully, we can use the advantage of already playing here in Bulawayo, so hopefully that can help us.

“Looking at the bigger picture of World Cup qualification is nice but can be a little bit dangerous. You can’t get there without doing the things leading up to it, but one game at a time is what we are looking at.”

UAE are bottom of the table but coach Dougie Brown insisted his side deserved to be in the Super Sixes.

“Our top seven batters have brought some really good form and bowlers have, too,” Brown, himself a Scotsman, said. “Despite Monday’s result [the UAE’s 226-run loss to Ireland], I am really pleased where we are at the minute.”

Brown also harped on the importance of a good start.

“They [Scotland] are a very buoyant side at the moment and they know qualification is in their hands, but we think we are two fairly evenly-matched teams and it is very much about who gets out the blocks the quickest.”

The UAE have a strong team at their disposal, with Mustafa expected to play a key role with bat and ball.

The opener scored 95 and took five wickets with his offspin against PNG.

Scotland will also be wary of Rameez Shahzad, who scored his first ODI hundred the last time these two teams met in Dubai two months ago.