Defeat to Dutch in Dubai means a shootout

Scotland face a suddendeath shootout for a spot at next year’s T20 World Cup after defeat to Holland in Dubai yesterday condemned them to a fourth-place finish in Group A of the qualifier.

The Scots needed a big win to move up the table and earn a second shot at qualification but the chance of victory receded when a poor batting display saw them post just 130-8.

Skipper Kyle Coetzer said: “The boys are a bit down but there’s still a lot to play for.

“We knew we had to get a score on the board on a challenging wicket but unfortunately we weren’t able to get the two big partnerships we needed to put a defendable total on the board.”

Yet Coetzer’s men put themselves back in contention when Safyaan Sharif made

“The boys are a bit down but there’s a still a lot to play for”

the breakthrough in the first over, forcing Tobias Visee to miscue to Josh Davey.

And the Dutch were in trouble on 17-2 when Max O’Dowd sent an Ali Evans delivery straight into the hands of Calum MacLeod at mid-on.

Davey got in on the act when he found the edge of Ben Cooper’s bat and at 31-3 Scotland had the initiative.

However, a blistering counter-attack from Ryan ten Doeschate turned the match.

The Essex batsman staged a 59-run stand with Colin Ackerman (22) in just five overs and went on to finish unbeaten on 51 from just 35 balls as the Netherlands cruised to their target in the end, winning by four wickets with 18 balls to spare.

Mark Watt was the top bowler with 3-18.

Scotland will learn their final opponents following tomorrow’s second v third play-off.