Scotland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will lock horns in the final of the ICC World Cup Qualifier at Lincoln Oval on Saturday in a match that will determine which pool they will join in the ICC World Cup 2015.
The two teams secured their positions in the final, as well as a spot in the ICC World Cup 2015, after recording victories on the last day of the Super Six stage on Thursday.
Scotland and UAE now complete the 14-team line-up for the 2015 event, and will compete alongside the 10 Full Members, Afghanistan and Ireland.
The winner of the final will join Afghanistan, four-time champions Australia, co-host New Zealand, Bangladesh, three-time finalist England, and 1996 winners Sri Lanka in Pool A of the ICC World Cup 2015.
The losing finalists will be placed in Pool B along with defending champion India, Ireland, 1992 champions Pakistan, South Africa, two-time winners the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The sides have already faced each other once during this tournament, in a group encounter that Scotland won by 53 runs thanks to a rapid-fire century by opener Calum MacLeod (113 from 97 balls).
Prior to that, the UAE and Scotland last locked horns in 50-over cricket in two ICC World Cricket League Championship encounters in March 2012, which the UAE won by four and two wickets, respectively.
The UAE, who were the number-one ranked side for the tournament, go into Saturday’s final as the leading team from the Super Six stage, having sealed their spot at the top of the table with a 36-run victory over Namibia at Rangiora Oval here on Thursday.
The UAE will be searching for their second trophy, having won the tournament in 1994. That victory led to the side’s only appearance in the ICC Cricket World Cup, in 1996, where the team recorded a seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands.
UAE skipper Khurram Khan was thrilled to see his side qualify for their second ICC World Cup.
“You can’t describe in words the feeling. I’ve been playing for UAE since 2001 and it is an amazing feeling to help my team to qualify,” said Khurram.
Reflecting on his side’s performances to date in the tournament, the skipper felt that his side had the all-round capability necessary to reach the final.
“Everybody chipped in. The top order scored runs and the fast bowlers replied to the call and played superbly. It’s just called teamwork.
“The hard work we have put in has paid off. The way we have worked together and performed when we needed to,” said Khurram.
Scotland secured their spot in the final after recording a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Kenya at Hagley Oval.
Seeded third in the tournament, Scotland finished second in the Super Six table to advance to their third ICC World Cup, having previously played in 1999 and 2007. The side also won the qualifying tournament in 2005.
Scotland captain Preston Mommsen said that qualification to the 14-team ICC World Cup 2015 was a momentous occasion for his side
“It is absolutely awesome, we have worked really hard to get to this position and to actually get over the line is unbelievable,” said Mommsen.
The two teams secured their positions in the final, as well as a spot in the ICC World Cup 2015, after recording victories on the last day of the Super Six stage on Thursday.
Scotland and UAE now complete the 14-team line-up for the 2015 event, and will compete alongside the 10 Full Members, Afghanistan and Ireland.
The winner of the final will join Afghanistan, four-time champions Australia, co-host New Zealand, Bangladesh, three-time finalist England, and 1996 winners Sri Lanka in Pool A of the ICC World Cup 2015.
The losing finalists will be placed in Pool B along with defending champion India, Ireland, 1992 champions Pakistan, South Africa, two-time winners the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
The sides have already faced each other once during this tournament, in a group encounter that Scotland won by 53 runs thanks to a rapid-fire century by opener Calum MacLeod (113 from 97 balls).
Prior to that, the UAE and Scotland last locked horns in 50-over cricket in two ICC World Cricket League Championship encounters in March 2012, which the UAE won by four and two wickets, respectively.
The UAE, who were the number-one ranked side for the tournament, go into Saturday’s final as the leading team from the Super Six stage, having sealed their spot at the top of the table with a 36-run victory over Namibia at Rangiora Oval here on Thursday.
The UAE will be searching for their second trophy, having won the tournament in 1994. That victory led to the side’s only appearance in the ICC Cricket World Cup, in 1996, where the team recorded a seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands.
UAE skipper Khurram Khan was thrilled to see his side qualify for their second ICC World Cup.
“You can’t describe in words the feeling. I’ve been playing for UAE since 2001 and it is an amazing feeling to help my team to qualify,” said Khurram.
Reflecting on his side’s performances to date in the tournament, the skipper felt that his side had the all-round capability necessary to reach the final.
“Everybody chipped in. The top order scored runs and the fast bowlers replied to the call and played superbly. It’s just called teamwork.
“The hard work we have put in has paid off. The way we have worked together and performed when we needed to,” said Khurram.
Scotland secured their spot in the final after recording a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Kenya at Hagley Oval.
Seeded third in the tournament, Scotland finished second in the Super Six table to advance to their third ICC World Cup, having previously played in 1999 and 2007. The side also won the qualifying tournament in 2005.
Scotland captain Preston Mommsen said that qualification to the 14-team ICC World Cup 2015 was a momentous occasion for his side
“It is absolutely awesome, we have worked really hard to get to this position and to actually get over the line is unbelievable,” said Mommsen.
Source: Cricket News in Hindi
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