Ex-postman Greaves is the hero as Scots stun Bangladesh
All-rounder Chris Greaves was the hero as Scotland got their T20 World Cup campaign off to a dream start with a six-run victory over highly-fancied Bangladesh in Muscat.
The 31-year-old Greaves, in only his second T20 international, top-scored with 45 as his side hit 140 for nine and then took two crucial wickets with his leg-spin as Scotland held their nerve in a tense finish.
Put in to bat, Scotland were reeling at 53 for six in the 12th over before Greaves added 51 runs with Mark Watt, who struck 22 off 17 balls.
‘We were in a tough situation,’ said Greaves. ‘It was just a case of re-building the innings at that stage and see where we could go from there. It was unbelievable that I could be that person, to be a part of that is incredible.’
Captain Kyle Coetzer admitted that not so long ago it didn’t look as if Greaves would even make the 15-man squad as he praised the South African-born all-rounder’s perseverance.
‘I’m really proud of Greavo as he’s sacrificed a lot,’ said Coetzer. ‘He was driving about delivering parcels for Amazon not that long ago and now he’s out here winning the man of the match against Bangladesh.
‘It was an incredible day for Chris but it wasn’t a surprise for us. We knew he had the ability to do that as he’s shown some exciting skills for us on this tour. It was so nice to see him with the belief when he took on their bowlers.’
one more win in this four-team group will guarantee Scotland a place in the Super 12 stage, which begins on Saturday.
Bangladesh, fresh from T20 wins over Australia and new Zealand, went into the game as favourites to win the group and Scotland lost their captain Coetzer for a duck in the third over, bowled by Mohammad Saifuddin.
George Munsey and Matthew Cross steadied the innings with a 40-run second-wicket partnership before both perished in an over from Mahedi Hasan. richie Berrington fell cheaply when he was caught at long-on off Shakib Al Hasan, who also removed Michael leask for a duck.
Greaves then came to the rescue, hitting two sixes and four fours in his 28-ball knock.
earlier, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan became the highest wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals, overtaking lasith Malinga’s total of 107 wickets. The all-rounder is the first player to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets and he was just starting to get into his flow with the bat when he became Greaves’ first victim.
Greaves then removed the dangerous Mushfiqur rahim for 38 and finished with two for 19 while Brad Wheal claimed three for 24.
needing 24 off the last over, Saifuddin and Mahedi combined for two fours and a six but were unable to get their side over the line.