Scotland win, UAE ready for Hong Kong in World Twenty20 Qualifier

But Khurram Khan, captain of the home team, says he is confident of beating Hong Kong on Tuesday, writes Amith Passela. Plus results from other matches of the day.

Scotland’s Matt Machan hits a four against Shakti Gauchan, the Nepal leg-spinner, during the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier at the ICC Global Cricket Academy, in Dubai, on Monday. Machan scored 28 to heShow more

ABU DHABI // Khurram Khan said the UAE will take the positives from their defeat against Ireland on Sunday into Tuesday’s World Twenty20 Qualifier against Hong Kong.

Ireland and Hong Kong remain the only teams with 100 per cent records in Group A and the UAE will have some work to do against the latter to improve their third-place position.

“There was lots we picked up from the Ireland game. I think we were almost there but just couldn’t finish them off,” Khurram, the UAE captain, said after the team’s five-run defeat to the Irish on Monday. “We did well to restrict them to 138 on a wicket easy to bat. Our bowlers did very well but we lost too many wickets at the end when we had to score 10 runs from eight balls with four wickets in hand.

“It was more mental in this game because skill-wise we were there matching them in every department. The feeling after the game was that we lost an opportunity.”

Khurram is confident the team can regroup and get their qualifying campaign back on track.

“We are doing pretty well but need to do it better against Hong Kong. We have played against them a few times in the past and know each other well,” he said.

“We have a better record in the 50 over-a-side against them but the T20 format is a different ball game altogether. Of course Hong Kong are playing good cricket and are on a high at the moment.”

The UAE have played an unchanged side in the last three games but Khurram said the playing XI will not be decided until this morning.

Irfan Ahmed on Monday blasted 100 from 53 deliveries to set the platform for Hong Kong’s 53-run win over Canada, who have lost both their games. Ahmed and Waqas Barkat (31) shared a 102-run stand for the first wicket in 11.2 overs after Canada put them in to bat.

They did well to restrict Hong Kong to 168 for five, though, considering the start given by the openers.

Canada were left struggling at 44 for three halfway through their overs and could only muster 115 for eight. Munir Dar, the 41-year-old left-arm spinner, was the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers, returning four for 17 from four overs.

In the other Group A match, Uganda clinched a first win in their qualifying history, defeating Italy by one wicket with one delivery to spare, thanks in no small part to Arthur Kyobe’s 15-ball 36, which included five sixes.

Scotland edge Nepal on back of MacLeod knock

An unbeaten 82 by Calum MacLeod and three wickets apiece for Safyaan Sharif and Gordon Goudie guided Scotland to a shock eight-wicket win over Nepal in their Group B World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai. Sharif finished with three for 19 and Goudie took three for 29 to set up a target of 138 which they reached with four balls to spare.

Results of the day

Italy 148-4

Berg 62; Nsubuga 2-22

Uganda 151-9

Kyobe 36; Pennazza 2-20

Uganda won by 1 wicket

Hong Kong 188-5

Irfan 100; Patel 2-33

Canada 115-8

Hansra 26; Dar 4-17

Hong Kong won by 53 runs

Denmark 84-8

Pedersen 21; Odhiambo 3-15

Kenya 85-2

Tikolo 48 (no); Kamran 1-5

Kenya won by 8 wickets

Nepal 137-7

Khadka 27; Sharif 3-19

Scotland 138-2

MacLeod 82 (no); Khadka 1-23

Scotland won by 8 wickets