Scotland beat nearest rivals

Opener Fraser Watts helped put on 103 runs for the first wicket

Scotland assumed the tag of favourites to take the inaugural ICC World Cricket League at Nairobi Gymkhana on Sunday as they beat hosts and form side Kenya by 77 runs.

In the process Craig Wright’s side has booked their place in next Wednesday’s final and also in next September’s ICC Twenty20 World Championships.

The chances are that their opponents in the final will be the same opposition so this victory will have given them a great psychological advantage ahead of that big game.

With one round of matches left, Kenya need to beat Canada at Jaffery Sports Club on Monday to be sure of progressing but they could still get through even if they lose, such is their strong net run rate.

In front of a vociferous Sunday crowd in glorious sunshine, Scotland had set a reasonable score having won the toss and deciding to bat.

They ended up with a respectable 254 for eight off 50 overs but in truth, it should have been considerably more.

Fraser Watts and Majid Haq opened up with 103 for the first wicket before Watts played across a straight one in the 22nd over from Hiren Varaiya and was clean bowled.

It was an unnecessary shot for Watts to play with his side in such a commanding position and was to be repeated by several of his team-mates as the innings progressed.

Gavin Hamilton © Getty Images

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Ryan Watson (10) and Neil McCallum (2) were stupidly run out attempting the impossible while Dougie Brown, Colin Smith and Gavin Hamilton were all dismissed playing injudicious shots, albeit Hamilton after he had contributed 58 well-crafted runs.

Just like he had done against Ireland in the first match, Haq scored a half-century and then threw it away shortly after.

He tried to smash Steve Tikolo down the ground but the 35-year-old off-spinner took a good catch at head height.

In the end, he made 71, including five fours and a six, but like the overall team score it really should have been more.

Tikolo (3-46) was probably the pick of the Kenyan bowlers, who in general struggled to find the same consistency they have shown so far in the ICC World Cricket League.

But if Scotland had not batted to their full potential, Kenya were woefully short of theirs as they made only 177.

Tanmay Mishra made 38 and Thomas Odoyo 53 near the end but it was not enough.

Haq bowled beautifully, taking 3-26 off nine overs, clinching the man-of-the-match award at a canter.

With the Scotland rugby team not doing very well at Twickenham on Saturday, Haq is delighted that cricket may take centre stage in Monday morning’s newspapers.

“Yes, I’m sure the rugby boys will bounce back but it is not often cricket makes headlines in Scotland so it’s a great day for us,” said Haq.

“It was a wonderful team effort and I am just happy to have been a part of that. We won’t get carried away by this, though. We have a game tomorrow and then the final next Wednesday so we have to keep focused,” added the 23-year-old.