Scotland started their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 campaign on a high as they defeated Ireland by one wicket on Wednesday, June 22 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The Richie Berrington-led side required eight runs to win off the last over with two wickets in hand and were guided to a thrilling win on the last ball by Michael Leask who played a scintillating knock of 91* off 61 balls.
With two needed off the last ball to win, Leask got an inside edge on a widish delivery which beat the Irish wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker and raced away for a boundary. Following that, the entire team was spotted jumping ecstatically in the dressing room and giving passionate hugs and high-fives to each other.
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Coming back to the match, after winning the toss, Scotland skipper invited Ireland to bat first. The Andrew Balbirnie-led side got off to the worst possible start as they lost Paul Stirling and captain Balbirnie off consecutive deliveries on the first over itself. They further lost three more wickets and were reeling at 70/5 after 18.2 overs.
However, their innings was rescued by Curtis Campher (120 off 108) and George Dockrell (69 off 93) who added 136 runs for the sixth wicket. Courtesy of their stand, Ireland reached the total of 286/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Brandon McMullen (5/34 in seven overs) was the pick of the bowlers for Scotland.
Mark Wyatt, Michael Leask guide Scotland to thrilling win
In the second innings, Christopher McBride got Scotland off to a good start with his knock of 56 off 60. However, he did not get much support from the other end as Scotland were reduced to 90/3 after 19.1 overs following his dismissal. They further slumped to 152/7 after 33.5 overs and were staring down the barrel.
However, Mark Wyatt (47 off 43) and Leask bailed their team out of trouble with their 82-run stand. Leask continued his sensational innings and smacked nine fours and four sixes in his match-winning knock of 91* off 61. Scotland will next face UAE on Friday, 23 June in Bulawayo.