Scotland Succumb to Afghanistan in Final World Cup Warm-Up

Tough Day for Scotland at Queen’s Park Oval

In their final warm-up match before the T20 World Cup, Scotland faced a formidable Afghanistan side at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan set a challenging target, ultimately winning by 55 runs. This defeat leaves Scotland with much to ponder as they prepare for their opening World Cup game against England.

Afghanistan’s Strong Start

Afghanistan, winning the toss and choosing to bat, capitalised on their decision with a flying start. Opener Gulbadin Naib was the star of the show, blasting 69 runs off just 30 balls. His explosive innings ensured Afghanistan crossed the 100-run mark by the 10th over. Despite his dismissal by Chris Greaves, Afghanistan continued to press on, although Scotland’s bowlers managed to claw back some control in the latter half of the innings.

Chris Sole emerged as Scotland’s most effective bowler, taking 3 wickets for 35 runs, while Brad Currie chipped in with 2 for 26. This effort helped restrict Afghanistan to 178 for 8 in their 20 overs, a total that seemed achievable but demanding.

Scotland’s Struggle in Reply

In response, Scotland’s innings got off to a promising start with George Munsey scoring a brisk 28. However, his dismissal triggered a collapse, with Scotland losing five wickets for just 44 runs by the eighth over. The top order’s inability to build partnerships proved costly.

Mark Watt’s resilient knock of 34 from 25 balls offered some resistance, but it was not enough to chase down Afghanistan’s total. The disciplined Afghan bowling, led by Janat (2 for 13) and Ur Rahman (2 for 23), ensured Scotland never gained the momentum needed.

Rain-Hit Preparation

This match followed a disrupted warm-up against Uganda, which was abandoned due to rain. Scotland had bowled well to limit Uganda to 90 for 5 in 18 overs, with Safyaan Sharif and Jack Jarvis each taking two wickets. However, the interruption meant limited match practice before their key encounters.

Looking Ahead

Scotland’s performance against Afghanistan underscores the challenges ahead. As they prepare to face England in Barbados on 4 June, followed by matches against Namibia, Oman, and Australia, the team must address their top-order vulnerabilities and build stronger partnerships to succeed in Group B.

This warm-up series, though mixed in results, has provided valuable insights and highlighted areas for improvement. Scotland will need to draw on these lessons and show resilience and adaptability in the World Cup.