Home
Few days into World Cup Qualifiers 2023, there have been few incredible feats achieved by associate nation players. In Scotland vs Ireland clash that seemed done and dusted with Scottish down to 152/7 chasing 287, Michael Leask showed ‘never give up’ attitude and batted with the tail to clinch win in last-ball thriller at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on June 21.
Chasing 287, Scotland opener Christopher McBride led the charge but Mark Adair got two wickets in his opening spell. McBride scored 56 off 60 balls but after his wicket Scotland suffered a batting collapse. From 90/2 they were 152/7. Leask got support from Mark Watt as they shared an 82-run partnership for the eighth wicket to infuse life into the run chase. In the same over, Leask got to his half-century from 46 balls.
With 44 runs needed off the last four overs, Leask went berserk as he smashed Joshua Little for two sixes and two fours in the 47th over. One boundary each came off his bat in the 48th and 49th over. In the final six balls, Scotland needed eight runs. He started off with a four against Adair as Harry Tector misfielded. After a single, Safyaan Sharif got out. No.10 batter played a dot ball and then managed to sneak a single via byes to get Leask on strike. He finished the game with a boundary to stun the Irish and register the narrowest ODI win for Scotland. Leask remained unbeaten for 91 off 61 balls including nine fours and four sixes.
“I don't think I can quite put it into words, I'm lost for words. We had a few tough games against Ireland and last time we had a tied game (in the previous qualifiers) against Zimbabwe as well, so to hit the winning runs is even more special. We got a team that bat very deep, I got a lot of belief in my ability and Watty (Watt) and Surfy (Sharif) did a great job as well. He (Watt) is a fantastic performer, we had a lot of partnerships together and when he walked out to bat I told him let's do it one more time,” Leask said in the post-match presentation.
Earlier, Scotland captain Richie Berrington won the toss and opted to field first. Brandon McMullen was lethal with the new ball as he got Paul Stirling and Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie out for golden ducks in the first over. Ireland found themselves four down for 33 in the ninth over. Andy McBrine lost his wicket in the 19th over and a big score seemed unlikely.
Curtis Campher and George Dockrell revived Ireland's innings. They shared a 136-run partnership for the sixth wicket to get the score past 200. In the slog overs, Campher got to his century and got support from tailenders as well to help Ireland post 286/8. Campher scored 120 off 108 deliveries including nine fours and four sixes. It is the highest score by a no.6 Ireland batter in ODIs. On the other hand, McMullen registered his maiden ODI fifer.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
‘He may have felt hurt’: CSK CEO settles Jadeja vs Dhoni debate once and for all
ICC and BCCI turn down PCB's request for change of ODI World Cup 2023 venues: Report
