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A CAPTAIN’S innings from Richie Berrington got Scotland out of some early trouble as they beat the UAE by 111 runs in a Group B World Cup Qualifier match at the Bulawayo Athletic Club yesterday.
Junaid Siddique (3/49) and Ali Naseer (2/37) posed a threat with the new ball after the UAE had put Scotland in, reducing them to 48 for four.
However Berrington (127) and Michael Leask (41) – the hero against Ireland – steadied the ship with a 67-run stand.
Karthik Meiyappan provided a much-needed breakthrough but Chris Greaves (22) provided more support in a 51-run partnership.
While Jack Jarvis (2) did not last long, Mark Watt came in and provided more support for Berrington, hammering an unbeaten 44 from 31 balls as the pair put on 110.
Berrington hit nine fours and three sixes in a magnificent knock, finally run out on the final ball of the innings as Scotland reached 282 for eight.
That proved more than enough, with Chris Sole taking two wickets in two balls on his way to figures of three for 37 as the UAE slumped to 34 for three in reply.
Plenty of batters got in, including skipper Muhammad Waseem (36), but none were able to turn starts into big scores as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Basil Hameed (30) kept the scoreboard ticking over before he was the seventh man to fall, Chris Greaves getting through his defences to have him bowled.
Safyaan Sharif then provided the finishing flourish, taking four for 20 including two wickets in the final over to wrap up victory and boost Scotland’s hopes of making the Super Six.
Scores in brief:
Scotland beat UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Bulawayo by 111 runs
Scotland 282/8 in 50 overs (Richie Berrington 127, Mark Watt 44; Junaid Siddique 3/49, Ali Naseer 2/37)
UAE 171 all out in 35.3 overs (Muhammad Waseem 36, Basil Hameed 30; Safyaan Sharif 4/20, Chris Sole 3/37)
Online Reporter