ICC WCL 2

Muscat – Michael Leask allround performance that included an unbeaten 51 and a three-wicket spell led Scotland to four-wicket win over a gritty Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a day-night one-day international of the ongoing ICC WCL 2 tri-series at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground on Wednesday.

Scotland’s third successive win enabled them to leapfrog the USA to second position in the seven-nation series with 15 points from 11 matches with hosts Oman on top with 24 points from 16 matches.

Chasing 227 to win, Scotland were on course till the departure of their skipper Kyle Coetzer, who top-scored with 81.

Coetzer had shared 72-run second wicket stand with Calum MacLeod (28) and a third-wicket 39-run partnership with Richie Berrington after they lost opener Matther Cross in the first over.

Coetzer’s exit left Scotland at 138 for four in 35 overs and they were down to 167 for six in 42 overs.

Needing 60 off eight overs, Leask slammed a 31-ball 51 that included three fours and three sixes along with Mark Watt (13) to reach victory with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, Leask excelled with ball too, as he produced a sensational spell of three for 19.

PNG skipper Assad Vala made a crucial 30 on top after their middle-order failed.

Norman Vanua along with Jason Kila and Soper helped PNG to reach 226 for eight. Vanua’s 57 was well-supported by Soper (39) and Kila (24) after they were reeling at 97 for six in 27 overs. Scotland’s medium pacer Alasdair Evans picked up three wickets for 42.

It was the 11th successive defeat for PNG in the WCL 2 campaign and they are rooted at the bottom failing to win any match so far.

Brief scores:
PNG 226 for eight in 50 overs (Vanua 57, Soper 39; Evans 3-42, Leask 3-19) lost to Scotland 228 for six in 48.5 overs (Coetzer 81, Leask 51 n.o., Kabua Morea 2-40, Soper 2-48).