World Cup Qualifiers: Richie Berrington century helps Scotland beat UAE, Sri Lanka thrash Oman
- Planet Sport writer
- 23 June 2023
Captain Richie Berrington hit a career-best 127 as Scotland comfortably beat the United Arab Emirates by 111 runs to make it back-to-back wins at the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Richie Berrington hit a career-best 127 as Scotland thumped United Arab Emirates by 111 runs for their second consecutive win in the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Berrington's first century in over a year helped lift his side from 48 for four to 282 for eight and Safyaan Sharif then took four wickets as the UAE were bowled out for 171 in reply from 35.3 overs.
Scotland, who beat Ireland in a dramatic final-ball finish on Wednesday, had looked in trouble at 25 for three in the ninth over after Junaid Siddique dismissed openers Chris McBride (five) and Matthew Cross (13) while Brandon McMullen (four) was also out cheaply.
Tom Mackintosh made a quickfire 11 off 14 balls before he was caught and bowled by Zahoor Khan, with Berrington then pushing Scotland on again, helped by 41 from all-rounder Michael Leask and Chris Greaves (22).
Mark Watt struck an unbeaten 44 from 31 deliveries as he and Berrington added 110 in 11 overs before the Scotland captain was run out on the last delivery of the innings.
Berrington's 127 came off 136 balls with nine fours and three sixes, while Siddique finished with three for 49 from his 10 overs.
UAE opener Muhammad Waseem made 36, but lacked support as Chris Sole struck twice in two balls in the fifth over to remove Aryansh Sharma (eight) and then Vriitya Aravind, for a golden duck.
Sharif claimed the final three wickets of the UAE's innings to stave off any potential run chase, finishing with four for 20 from his 6.3 overs while Karthik Meiyappan was not out on 23.
Scotland will next face Oman and Sri Lanka in their other Group B games as they look to reach the Super Six stage.
Wanindu Hasaranga doubles up for in-form Sri Lanka against Oman
Wanindu Hasaranga made it two five-wicket hauls in as many matches as Sri Lanka claimed their second win against Oman.
The leg-spinner took six wickets in the opening win over the United Arab Emirates, and was at it again with five for 13 in a ten-wicket success against Oman.
A second successive dominant victory for Sri Lanka has effectively sealed their place in the Super Six.
Hasaranga was the star of the show once again, taking his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, and second in as many matches, as Oman were bowled out for just 98.
Sri Lanka needed just 15 overs to chase that total down, Dimuth Karunaratne (61 not out) leading them home in style.
Lahiru Kumara (3/22) made the early inroads for Sri Lanka, who had elected to bowl first, removing Kashyap Prajapati in the second over.
He added skipper Zeeshan Maqsood and Mohammad Nadeem, with Kasun Rajitha dismissing Aqib Ilyas as Oman slumped to 20 for four.
A 52-run stand between Jatinder Singh (21) and Ayaan Khan (41) hinted at a recovery before Hasaranga entered the fray.
His triple wicket maiden ripped the heart out of the Omani middle order, leaving them in dire trouble at 72 for seven.
Hasaranga finally removed Ayaan before finishing off the innings by trapping Bilal Khan leg before.
Sri Lanka showed their intent from the very first ball of the chase, Pathum Nissanka (39 not out) slashing Bilal for four over point.
The pair never really looked troubled, bringing up the 50 partnership in the seventh over with Karunaratne's fifth boundary of the innings.
He was given a reprieve just before reaching his half-century, dropped off the bowling of Zeeshan and it was fitting that Karunaratne finished it in style, scooping the ball to fine leg for a boundary to finish it.
Sri Lanka have now won two in a row with matches against Ireland and Scotland to come. Oman may have tasted defeat for the first time but they can still reach the Super Six with a win over Scotland in their next game.
