Wellington, Feb 1 (IANS) Scotland will join Pool A of the 2015 Cricket World Cup after recording a 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to win the ICC World Cup Qualifier at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, Saturday.
The 2005 champions lifted the trophy for the second time after posting a total of 285 for five and then restricted the UAE to 244 for nine to win by 41 runs.
Scotland got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets for 37 runs in the first seven overs. Skipper Preston Mommsen was the star for Scotland with an unbeaten knock of 139 from 149 balls (12 fours and one six) that earned him the man of the match award.
Number six batsman Richie Berrington scored his second half-century of the tournament (63) as the pair put on a 138-run stand for the fifth wicket. Freddie Coleman (31) and Matt Machan (22) also made vital contributions with the bat.
Manjula Guruge was the pick of the UAE bowlers, claiming three for 67 runs.
The UAE’s run chase was anchored by Swapnil Patil, who narrowly missed scoring a century when he scored a single off the last delivery of the innings, leaving him on 99 not out, to see his side post a total of 244 for nine from 50 overs. Top order batsman Amjad Ali and captain Khurram Khan added 34 runs each. However, once the skipper was dismissed in the 25th over the UAE was not able to create any meaningful partnerships.
The two teams had secured their positions in the 2015 World Cup after recording victories on the last day of the Super Six stage of the Qualifier Thursday, and Saturday’s final determined which pool each team will join in 2015.
Scotland will join Afghanistan, four-time champion Australia, co-host New Zealand, Bangladesh, three-time finalist England and 1996 champion Sri Lanka in Pool A.
UAE will be placed in Pool B along with defending champions India, Ireland, 1992 champions Pakistan, South Africa, two-time champions West Indies and Zimbabwe.