Scotland beat Papua New Guinea by 17 runs in Oman to take a step closer to qualifying for the Super 12 stage of the T20 Cricket World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Scotland set Papua New Guinea a target of 166 for victory. They then bowled out Papua New Guinea for 148 to record their second win in the group stage.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Scotland were two down for just 26 runs. Kabua Morea sent Kyle Coetzer packing for 6 in the third over before Chad Soper followed that up with the wicket of George Munsey for 15.
Richie Berrington and Matthew Cross had a brilliant third wicket partnership which contributed 92 runs that took Scotland to 118. But their partnership was broken in the 15th over when Simon Atai sent Cross back to the pavillion for 45. Berrington and Calum MacLeod combined for 33 runs to take Scotland to 151. But MacLeod was caught at midwicket for 10 off the delivery of Soper in the 19th over. Soper also brought Berrington’s innings to an end for 70 in the same over with Charles Amini taking the catch at long-on to leave Scotland on 153 for five. Scotland lost four wickets in the final over and reached 165 for nine in their 20 overs.
In reply, Papua New Guinea didn’t have the best of starts. They were reduced to 33 for four by the sixth over with Amini run out for a single by Cross. Kiplin Doriga and Norman Vanua’s seventh wicket stand added 53 runs to take Papua New Guinea to 120 for six after they lost two more wickets cheaply. But Papua New Guinea was eventually bowled out for 148. The win is Scotland’s second in the qualifying round after they beat Bangladesh by six runs on Sunday.
