Scotland’s Matthew Cross’s maiden ODI century led his team to victory over UAE by 31 runs in the penultimate match of the ODI Tri-series at ICC Academy grounds in Dubai.
Cross’s unbeaten knock of 107 from 110 deliveries coupled with supporting acts from Kyle Coetzer (28), George Munsey (45) and Safyaan Sharif (22) took Scotland to 249/8 in their 50 overs on a difficult wicket to score freely. The unlikely hero for UAE in the bowling department was Shaiman Anwar (3/61), picking up the wickets with his leg-spin.
Similar kind of innings was played by UAE’s wicket-keeper, Ghulam Shabber, who scored a stroke-filled 90 off 83 deliveries, but the rest of the batting line-up could not provide him support for longer periods in the game as UAE got bowled out for 218 in 46.3 overs. Adnan Mufti (28 off 36) was the other significant contribution towards the team total.
Mark Watt (2/33), Stuart Whittingham (2/35), Alasdair Evans (2/48) & Safyaan Sharif (2/48) capped off a disciplined effort by the Scottish bowlers as they notched up their first win of the Tri-series. Ireland have already won the Tri-series after winnings all their four matches against Scotland & UAE.
The final match of the series will be played on 23rd Jan 2018.
