*SCOTLAND VS UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MATCH 12 PREVIEW- ICC WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Ireland came close but it all boiled down to the game being one of fine margins as the Scotts brushed aside Ire to win and open their account on the right note. Scotland while chasing, were 152/7 at 34, but still managed to emerge victorious by just a single wicket with Mark Wyatt and Leask taking their team home with 47(43) and 91* respectively.
The 11 men from Scotland played a blinder, they were pretty good in all aspects of the game with Mcmullen even coming clutch with a fifer. What they could have avoided however, was how lenient their intent became towards the end, making sure that they were on the receiving end of a Campher century and a 69 from Dockrell. They’d have a keen check on their death bowling tomorrow, which could be exploited against the UAE.
Another team in the competition who suffer the same fate as that of the USA, are the United Arab Emirates. They have lost both their games so far and could get eliminated if they face another defeat, at the hands of Scotland this time. Their batting performances have been abysmal, recording scores of 180 and 227, both under par scores. There is massive room for improvement specially in this compartment and with the right adjustments to the tracks here in Zimbabwe, we could see UAE get back on track.
*UAE PROBABLE XI:*
Muhammad Waseem (c), Rohan Mustafa, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Basil Hameed, Asif Khan, Rameez Shahzad, Ali Naseer, Aayan Afzal Khan, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique
In only seven ODIs versus Scotland, Zahoor Khan has bagged 13 wickets including the best figures of 4/39. His invaluable experienced mixed with his noteworthy record against this side will be critical come tomorrow and would be important for UAE as well, who are in search of a win.
Rohan Mustafa has the maximum amount of runs for a UAE batter vs Scotland but his returns in the first two games this tournament make us question his reliability. He’d be hoping for a reversal of luck, along with all those UAE supporters, and try giving his side the start they need. Good matchups vs the Scot bowlers may just work well in his favour.
*SCOTLAND PROBABLE XI:*
Matthew Cross, Christopher McBride, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Richie Berrington (c), Tomas Mackintosh (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole
Michael Leask has been nothing short of being brilliant this tourney. He has 227 runs and 9 wickets to show for, in his last five outings and would be hoping for more, given the kind of form that he’s in. The last game was a testimony to how the Scotts cannot be taken lightly. Leask was the highlight of their ‘one for the ages’ batting performance and it was enough to send chills down any other oppositions spine. It was no ordinary inning because it came under immense pressure of losing wickets constantly. He also bowled four overs and could be a handy bowling option again.
I have been a huge Mark Watt admirer. He bowls quick, to the stumps- aiming to rattle them and trap batters leg before. He had a good outing with figures of 1/52 in his quota of 10 overs vs Ireland and surprised everybody with his allround performance, adding valuable runs with the bat. Be glued to your screens to witness another Watt masterclass.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR UAE:*
Highest run getter- Rohan Mustafa/Muhammad Waseem
Highest wicket taker- Karthik Meiyappan/Zahoor Khan
*FOR SCOTLAND:*
Highest run getter- Matthew Cross/Michael Leask
Highest wicket taker- Mark Watt/Chris Sole
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Scotland to win