Scotland make their way into ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020
They knocked hosts UAE out with a 90-run win at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, 30 October, to become the fifth team from the qualifying tournament, after PNG, Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia, to secure a place in the event in Australia next year.
The batsmen, led by George Munsey and Richie Berrington, went on the attack posting a strong 198/6. The UAE reply never got going, and in the face of disciplined bowling and catching, they folded for 108.
Opener Munsey's knock was defined by his signature, emphatic sweeps. He accelerated from a solid start with a couple of sixes to near his half-century, and finished with five shots over the ropes in his 43-ball 65. It took a sensational one-handed catch from Rameez Shahzad at the ropes to stop him.
Berrington picked up where Munsey left off, racing away to 48 off 18 with three sixes. Calum MacLeod's 25 off 12 balls acted as a late cameo to push the total near 200.
It took a special one-handed catch from a leaping Rameez Shahzad to end George Munsey's innings at 65 off 43 balls.
Those all came on a foundation of a strong opening stand of 87 in 11.2 overs, with captain Kyle Coetzer keeping pace with his partner.
With a tall total to defend, Scotland's bowlers came out confident. Safyaan Sharif struck in the first over, Chirag Suri fending awkwardly at a rising delivery. Rohan Mustafa edged behind to the wicket-keeper and UAE had lost their openers for 12.
See you in Australia @CricketScotland! pic.twitter.com/h3GIWl5ZzS
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 30, 2019
Rameez Shahzad offered some entertainment, but when he became the first of Mark Watt's three wickets, there was little else to prop UAE up.
Scotland will now feature in the 5th/6th place play-off match on Thursday.