SCOTLAND's hopes of qualifying for the World Twenty20 finals were hanging by a thread last night after they fell to defeat against Ireland in Dubai.
The Scots were unable to press home their advantage, allowing their opponents to reach 159-5, having reduced them to 8-2.
Despite the best efforts of stand-in captain Kyle Coetzer and Fraser Watts, they then found themselves with too much to do following the loss of three early wickets. The 17-run defeat leaves the Scots needing to win today against an Italian side who are level on points but who enjoy a superior run-rate.
"Our discipline with ball in hand wasn't what it should have been," said Pete Steindl, the Scotland coach. "For the majority of the game we were okay but we keep emphasising the small margins of T20 and we released the pressure too much.
"We gave Ireland too many big overs where they were able to score heavily and hurt us. We then got behind the run-rate early on and it's very difficult when you're playing catch-up."
Chasing a formidable total, Scotland were looking for the usual solid start from Richie Berrington and Calum MacLeod. Instead, Berrington was bowled by Trent Johnston with just one run on the board while MacLeod was trapped in front by Boyd Rankin, his former Warwickshire team-mate. With Johnston also removing Preston Mommsen, Scotland were in deep trouble on 22-3.
Coetzer and Watts steadied the ship during a few cautious overs before opening out in a flurry of boundaries, the pair adding 79 to briefly rekindle hopes. Watts contributed a 29-ball 33 while Coetzer went on to record his highest international T20 score with 62.
Both players would later fall to Kevin O'Brien, whose 3-35 put the Irish back in charge as the required run-rate increased to an improbable score. The Scots had already been discomfited by the news that Gordon Goudie will miss the rest of the tournament with a rib injury.
However, Scotland had made an ideal start with a wicket in each of the first two overs. Matty Parker, restored to full fitness following a lengthy lay-off, struck with his third ball when he had Paul Stirling caught by Mommsen for a duck. Safy Sharif then bowled Irish captain Will Porterfield for 2.
Ireland were to recover; Alex Cusack and Ed Joyce helping themselves to 17 runs from the third over, and the onslaught intensified when Berrington's first over was taken for 14. Joyce's 78 not out came from just 58 deliveries and included one other maximum as well as six 4s.
However, victory against the Italians will put the Scots back on course for a top-three finish in Group B and progress to a tense play-off phase. They finish the group stage against USA tomorrow. "They are both must-win games and it's up to us to show the character required," added Steindl.
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