Scotland has registered a thrilling win against Ireland – thanks to Michael Leask’s terrific inning. Scotland registered a nail-biting one-wicket win after chasing a target of 287 runs in the final ball losing nine wickets in the process.
Scotland has bagged a win in the first match of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 itself. They were 92 for four at one stage, which turned into 122/6 in a blink of an eye. The target looked massive, but Leask had a different plan. He shared 82 runs with Mark Watt for the eighth wicket, who assisted 47 runs.
Leask smacked an unbeaten 91 runs from 61, hammering nine fours and four sixes. Eight runs were required from the final over, and Leask was the man to score a winning run. Opener Christopher McBride also contributed 56 runs for the Scottish side.
For Ireland, Mark Adair picked up three wickets. Josh Little and George Dockrell also pocketed two each.
In the first inning, Ireland posted 286/8 despite a disastrous start. Invited to bat first at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, the Irish side were 70 for five before George Dockrell and Curtis Campher came to the rescue.
Brandon McMullen was on fire early on and picked up three quick wickets. Opener Andy McBrine also departed for 32 as Ireland were 70/5 in the 19th over. Dockrell and Campher then shared 136 runs for the sixth wicket before Dockrell departed for 69. Campher added another 50 runs with Gareth Delany, who contributed a vital 14-ball 19.
Campher, who scored a fifty in 68 balls, reached to a ton in the next 31 balls. Eventually, Campher was dismissed in the final over after scoring 120 runs from 108 balls, smacking nine fours and four sixes.
For Scotland, Brandon McMullen was the pick of a bowler, grabbing a five-wicket haul. He conceded only 34 from his seven-over spell.
Detail Score:
Ireland: 286/8 (50 ov)
Scotland: 289/9 (50 ov)
