Scotland Stunned By Singapore In 2020 ICC World T20 Qualifier

October is proving to be a nightmare when it comes to Scottish sport. After their Rugby team was dumped out of the league stages by Japan in the ongoing 2019 Rugby World Cup and the footballers suffered an abject Euro 2020 qualifying defeat in Russia, it was the turn of the cricket team to add more heartbreak. Scotland, who have participated in three 50-over World Cups in the past beginning from 1999, were humbled in surprising fashion by 21st-ranked Singapore in the ongoing ICC World T20 qualifiers. In the match played at the ICC Academy in Dubai, Scotland chose to bowl but their plans were undone by some confident batting. 

After reducing Singapore to 7/2, Scotland were undone by a stand of 44 between Surendran Chandramohan and Aritra Dutta. Dutta smashed 32 off 15 balls and the knock included three sixes but once he fell, Chandramohan shared a partnership of 78 with Manpreet Singh, the wicketkeeper. Chandramohan scored his fifty and some important contributions from Janak Prakash and Navin Param helped Singapore reach 168/6.

In response, Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey shared a 70-run stand for the opening wicket. However, Scotland had a slight stutter in the middle overs as they lost three wickets for 14 runs. The quick dismissals increased the pressure and all hopes rested on Calum MacLeod. Scotland needed just eight runs in the last over which was to be bowled by Amjad Mahboob.

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However, on the third ball, Mahmood got rid of MacLeod for 44 and when two further wickets fell in the last over, Scotland had lost by two runs to hand Singapore a significant victory. "Before the second-last over, we had 19 to defend. But I had self-belief and confidence and I did it," Mahboob said. In all, 14 nations are vying for six places at next year's World T20 in Australia by playing in the round-robin qualifiers.

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