Video Courtesy: ICC
Andrew Balbirnie | Ireland Captain | Post-Match Press Interview | 2023 ICC World Cup Qualifiers | Ireland Vs. Scotland | JUNE 21 | Group B
Scotland stun Ireland and Oman go two from two
Ireland, beaten by Oman in their opener, looked set to bounce back only for Leask to steer Scotland to a one-wicket victory off the final ball in Bulawayo.
In the other Group B match, Aqib Ilyas’ second successive half-century steered Oman to victory over the United Arab Emirates to boost their hopes of making the Super Six.
Leask snatches dramatic win for Scotland
Michael Leask hit two off the final ball as Scotland stunned Ireland with a one-wicket victory at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Curtis Campher looked as he would be the hero of the day, coming to the crease with Ireland reeling at 33 for four before rattling off a vital century to help Ireland post a total of 286 for eight.
That looked like plenty when Scotland slumped to 152 for seven in reply, before Leask turned the tide.
Having lost their opener to Oman, Ireland looked in a world of trouble when Paul Stirling and skipper Andy Balbirnie fell for golden ducks off the second and third balls of the innings.
Brandon McMullen wreaked havoc with the new ball on his way to figures of five for 34, his first-ever ODI five-for.
Andy McBrine (32) and Campher set about rebuilding after Ireland’s terrible start, but when the opener was caught behind, they were still in strife at 70 for five.
George Dockrell came in and provided invaluable support however, the pair adding 136 for the sixth wicket before Dockrell was bowled by the returning McMullen for 69.
By that stage, Campher had found his groove and he used support from the tailenders, notably Gareth Delany (19) to push Ireland to 286 for eight, Campher the last man to go off the penultimate delivery for a brilliant 120.
Scotland made a good start in reply, despite losing Matthew Cross in the second over, as Chris McBride (56) added 50 with McMullen (10) and 34 with George Munsey (15) before falling LBW to Campher.
The wickets continued to tumble, Josh Little (2/73) getting Richie Berrington and Tomas Mackintosh to reduce Scotland to 122 for six.
Chris Greaves followed soon after but Leask (91 not out) and Mark Watt counter-attacked with 82 from 11.1 overs to keep the chase alive before the latter was stumped off Dockrell for 47.
Leask then took over, adding 51 with Safyaan Sharif to leave Scotland needing eight from the last over. A four off the first ball made the equation simpler but Leask then took a single, allowing Mark Adair to pounce and remove Sharif for six.
That brought last man Chris Sole to the crease, and after a dot, he scrambled a bye to get Leask back on strike needing two from the final delivery.
He got that and more, with an inside edge racing to the boundary to see Scotland to an unlikely victory and further dent Ireland’s hopes of making the Super Six.
Scores in brief
Scotland beat Ireland at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo by one wicket
Ireland 286/8 in 50 overs (Curtis Campher 120, George Dockrell 69; Brandon McMullen 5/34, Christopher McBride 1/24)
Scotland 289/9 in 50 overs (Michael Leask 91*, Chris McBride 56; Mark Adair 3/57, George Dockrell 2/34)
Thursday 22 June – Fixtures
Group A
Nepal v West Indies Harare Sports Club, Harare
Netherlands v United States at Takashinga Cricket Club, Harare
Ireland v Scotland (Scotland won by one wicket)
Michael Leask, Scotland all-rounder and Player of the Match (91 not out): “We've had a few tough games against Ireland, so to get this against them is even more special.
“Mark Watt played an absolute blinder of an innings too. We've got a great bunch of lads and this is just the start of our journey. This is how we'll play our cricket, we'll take things deep.”
Andy Balbirnie, Ireland captain: “The first ten overs when we were batting and the last ten overs when we were bowling took the game away from us. We'll lick our wounds here and go again next game. The plans were pretty clear and I can't be too critical of the bowlers. It's an uphill battle from here But I back our guys to be up to the mark.”
Scotland captain Richie Berrington: “It's all the sweeter against Ireland. We’re absolutely delighted to start things off with a win. We've had a good couple of weeks leading into this in South Africa. We'll look to keep building on this.
“It was very tense towards the end. Games like that keep you on the edge of their seat. I don't think we could have asked for a better start with the ball. Brandon McMullen was outstanding and I think he'll keep getting better.”
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