ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2: Leask's all-round show guides Scotland upset PNG

Scotland’s Michael Leask contributed with both ball (10-2-19-3) and bat (51* in 34 balls) as they clinched a close four-wicket win against Papua New Guinea in Match 46 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at Al Amerat in Oman.

Earlier, PNG were reduced to 97/6 and then 133/7 after deciding to bat. At No. 3, Assad Vala (30 in 51) tried to hold the fort, but received little support before he was undone by Leask in the 21st over. Jason Kila (24) and Norman Vanua (57 in 52) stitched a 55-run stand for the eighth wicket to revive PNG from there, before Chad Soper’s unbeaten 46-ball 39 took them to finish on 226/8.

For Scotland, Alasdair Evans returned 3-42, while Mark Watt bowled tight 10 overs but failed to take any wicket.

Coming to defend, Kabua Morea (2-40) cleaned up Matthew Cross in the opening over to send Scotland on the back foot early. Kyle Coetzer (81) and Calum MacLeod then steadied the ship, albeit the latter took 68 balls for his 28.

Scotland slipped from 113/2 to 146/5 in quick time, courtesy Soper’s double strike (2-48) and a run out. Leask and Watt then added an unbroken 61 in 41 balls to take their side home with just seven balls to spare.   

Brief Scores: Papua New Guinea 226/8 in 50 overs (Norman Vanua 57; Michael Leask 3-19) lost to Scotland 228/6 in 48.5 overs (Kyle Coetzer 81; Kabua Morea 2-40) by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Michael Leask.