Scotland 322-6 (Cross 114, MacLeod 78, Mustafa 4/56) beat UAE 249 (Usman 80, Raza 50, Sole 4/68) by 73 runs.

SCOTLAND continued to make their intentions clear how much want World Cup qualification when they shot to the top of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier Super Six log standings after they defeated the United Arab Emirates by 73 runs at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

Man of the match, opening batsman Matthew Cross struck 114 runs, followed Calum MacLeod with 78 as Scotland, who won the toss, chose to bat made 322 for six in 50 overs.

UAE had a bright start to their run chase with the bat but from 62 for one they crumbled to 93 for five. Muhammad Usman and Ahmed Raza put on 105 for the seventh wicket. Pace bowler Tom Sole broke the stand, Usman attempting a reverse stroke to be taken by Mark Watt. Raza fell for 50, out leg before wicket to Brad Wheal. It was all over when seamer Safyaan Sharif had Mohammad Naveed taken in the deep.

With Afghanistan beating West Indies by three wickets at Harare Sports Club, Scotland moved to the top of the log with five points while the Windies are second with four.

Zimbabwe, who play against Ireland at Harare Sports Club on Friday in their opening Super Six are third with three points.

Cross still remained humble with focus firmly on their last two matches in Harare against Ireland and West Indies which if the Scots win, they will be headed to the World Cup.

“It doesn’t change a lot, we still have to go to Harare and beat Ireland and probably beat West Indies, if we win two we go through, today was all about winning and that’s all we’ve done. We go to Harare full of confidence, still unbeaten,’’ said Cross.

Scotland remains the only team, together with host nation Zimbabwe, yet to taste defeat so far in the Qualifier. Cross reckoned they need to continue with their fine form in the last two matches to ensure that they qualify.

“We have always believed we are a team capable of punching above our weight so far we have played well in every game, we bowled five teams out, we are doing everything right at the moment, we just need to continue for two more games hopefully we will be there,’’ he said.

Scotland’s next assignment is a tricky one with Ireland, a televised game at Harare Sports Club on Sunday before they round off the Super Six stage against West Indies next Thursday at the same venue.

@Mdawini_29