Cricket: Praying for a miracle

Apr 17 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

PAISLEY cricketers Majid Haq and Craig Wright will need to help Scotland perform a miracle today if they are to salvage their 2011 World Cup qualifying dreams.

The duo experienced bitter disappointment as the Scots were sent spinning to a shocking 42-run loss to unfancied Afghanistan in their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in South Africa on Wednesday.

That Super Eights defeat means Scotland will need to beat the United Arab Emirates today and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour if they are to book their place in the last four of the competition and nab one of the automatic World Cup spots that is up for grabs.

Despite a partnership of 133 between Kyle Coetzer and Gavin Hamilton, the Scots fell well short of the target of 280 set for them by Afghanistan.

Coetzer’s haul of 91 was in vain as his side were bowled out with 17 balls remaining.

Only results elsewhere kept alive the World Cup dream of a trip to the Indian sub-continent in two years’ time.

After being put into bat, the Afghans took full advantage of a benevolent surface to frustrate their opponents’ attack.

It took 14 overs until Jan Stander pierced their armour when Noor Ali, on 24, edged behind.Seven runs later, Paisley ace Wright took out Mohammad Shehzad, who had scored 22.

On 105-for-two, the Afghans were sitting pretty and it was only when Man-of-the-Match Karim Khan found himself run out on 92 that the Scots began to impress.

A run of wickets followed, with Shapoor Zadran being stumped off the bowling of Haq with the last ball of the innings.

But the Saltires had probably gifted 30 runs too many through dropped catches and poor fielding.

Wright managed two-for-41, with Haq bagging two-for-55.

In reply, the Saltires could only manage 237 runs before they were all out.

Haq managed to score just one run, with Wright bowled for a score of five.

Scotland’s vital game with the UAE takes place at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.