Late stand helps keep Scotland hopes alive
Scotland dug deep last night to rekindle their World Cup League 2 hopes with a revenge win over USA in Dubai.
The Scots, who went down by 37 runs in the opening encounter, appeared to have lost their way when they slumped to 188-6, chasing 246.
However, a superb seventh wicket stand between Safyaan Sharif and Josh Davey carried them to a four-wicket triumph with seven balls to spare.
The pair added 58 in nine overs with both players unbeaten on 26, Sharif hitting three boundaries while Davey had one majestic maximum in his 25-ball knock.
Scotland had lost Matthew Cross and Kyle Coetzer early and the departure of Michael Jones for 24 had the match in the balance with the Scots on 75-3.
However, Calum MacLeod and Richie Berrington added 78 for the fourth wicket to put their side in charge.
Berrington hit one glorious maximum and three boundaries on his way to 36 before being the victim of a dubious lbw decision off Nisarg Patel.
There was further controversy when George Munsey, having made 16, was adjudged to have gloved a catch behind.
MacLeod top-scored with an excellent 62 from 73 balls but, when he was run out attempting a suicidal single, the Scots looked up against it until those late heroics from Sharif and Davey sealed a crucial success.
Earlier, Mark Watt was the pick of the bowlers as Scotland restricted their opponents to 245-9
– 37 runs fewer than they had managed in the first encounter at Sharjah.
They were given an ideal start when Davey, making his first start of the campaign, had Monank Patel caught by MacLeod in the second over.
However, half-centuries from Xavier Marshall and Stephen Taylor gave impetus to the USA innings, with the pair adding 87 before MacLeod’s second catch removed Marshall for 50 and provided Watt with his first wicket.
Taylor went on to topscore with 56, including five boundaries, and, when Ali Evans had him caught by Berrington, Scotland had reduced their rivals to 123-5.
Hopes of a quick end to the innings were dashed as a series of useful middle order contributions propelled the States to a competitive total.
Watt finished with 3-33 while Hama Tahir, Davey and Evans had two apiece.
Scotland, now just three points behind leaders USA in the seven-team table, can further reduce the gap when they complete the latest series of World Cup League 2 fixtures against UAE in Dubai today.