Scotland were made to work a bit to get a win against Papua New Guinea in the 1st ODI of the 2-match series in Dubai.
Batting first, Papua New Guinea were in all sorts of trouble as they lost half their side with the scoreboard reading 10/5 in the 6th over. Alasdair Evans (3/23 off 8) and Safyaan Sharif (4/38 off 8) wrecked the top order of PNG with Tony Ura, Dogodo Bau, Sese Bau & Mahuru Dai, all getting out on ducks.
Captain Assad Vala (40 off 78) tried his best to steady the slide and found a good ally in Kipling Doriga (34 off 64), as the pair put on 69 runs partnership for the 6th wicket before Doriga fell to Leask (1/27). Vala followed soon after and wickets fell in a cluster again to leave PNG tottering at 119/9 in the 39th over.
A 28 runs partnership for the last wicket between Chad Soper (24 n.o off 52) and Alei Nao (16 off 17) took the score to 147 before getting all out as Mark Watt (2/17 off 8.2) finished off the innings with the wicket of Nao.
Scotland lost Matthew Cross early but Kyle Coetzer (29 off 38) took the early attack to the bowlers. Calum Mcleod joined Coetzer, who left with Scotland score reading 51/2 in the 11th over, bowled by Alei Nao.
Mcleod carried the innings forward with Mahuru Dai (2/35 off 10) picking up the wickets of Berrington (3) & Con de Lange (17). However, the 4th wicket was also the last wicket to fall for Scotland in their innings as Mcleod (60 n.o off 92) and George Munsey (17 n.o off 45) took their team home with Scotland scoring 148/4 in 38.1 overs to win the contest by runs.
Both teams play the 2nd match of the short series tomorrow before their Final round of I-Cup and WCL Championship matches beginning from 29th November and running until 8th December.
