Scotland qualify for T20 World Cup after comprehensive win over United Arab Emirates

Having taken a while to find their best cricket in the qualifying competition, Scotland produced their finest performance to beat UAE and qualify for the T20 World Cup

Scotland became the fifth team from the Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier to secure their place at the T20 World Cup after comprehensively beating United Arab Emirates.

Kyle Coetzer's side dominated from the outset after winning the toss and electing to bat at the Dubai International Stadium. The opening pair of Coetzer and George Munsey took full advantage, putting on 87 for the first wicket.

The left-handed Munsey was particularly brutal, reverse-sweeping a pair of early sixes, before continuing to play the shot to supreme effect as he passed 50.

After he fell - to a staggering catch from Rameez Shahzad, the baton was passed onto Richie Berrington and Calum MacLeod, who dragged Shane Burger's side towards 200.

Berrington's 48 came off just 18 deliveries, while MacLeod added a 12-ball 25 as Scotland finished on 198 for six.

United Arab Emirates have endured a turbulent fortnight after four players were withdrawn from their squad as part of an ongoing ICC anti-corruption invesitgation - Mohammad Naveed, Qadeer Ahmed and Mehardeep Chhayakar were suspended after being charged on October 16.

Their reply began poorly, with Chirag Suri top-edging Safyaan Sharif to Matt Cross, having already fortuitously escaped falling in a similar manner two balls previous.

After Rohan Mustafa was dismissed shortly afterwards by Josh Davey, a procession ensued. Mark Watt's four overs of left-arm spin brought with them three economical wickets, while MacLeod picked up Mohammad Boota with his part-time off-spin.

Having taken a while to find their best cricket in the qualifying competition - they lost their first game to Singapore and their fourth comfortably against Namibia, this was their finest display of the fortnight by some distance.

For United Arab Emirates, who finished third in Group B - albeit with the same number of points as Ireland, who qualified directly for next October's T20 World Cup, the defeat means disappointment.

Dougie Brown's side were comfortably beaten by Netherlands in their first of two opportunities to confirm their place in Australia. Scotland, having finished fourth in their own group, made the most of their win-or-bust encounter. They will join Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands and Namibia in the first round of group stage matches in 2020.

Header image © ICC Business Corporation FZ LLC 2018

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