Calum MacLeod hints of massive potential in Cricket Scotland

After setting a significant win for Scotland Calum MacLeod has made it clear with his batting statement. In the fourth match of 2018 World Cup Qualifiers in Group B in Bulawayo, MacLeod played a scintillating knock.

The skipper Kyle Coetzer, who is pretty confident to have the depth in the batting line-up until number nine. He believes the late-order has the potential when it comes to the batting role.

“The exciting thing about this team is we have match-winners all the way down to seven, eight and nine – guys who have a record of scoring runs,”Coetzer was quoted by Cricket Scotland.

Impressive MacLeod smashed unbeaten 157 runs off 146 balls. He saw Scotland comfortably home by seven wickets.

Earlier, Rashid Khan-led side Afghanistan were bowled out on 255 in 49.4 overs. In response, Coetzer-led Scotland chased down the target in 47.2 overs. In his spectacular knock, MacLeod smashed 23 boundaries and a solitary six.

However, talking about the potential of the Scotland players could be justified by how they tackled spin prodigy Rashid in the middle-overs.

“Crossy and Coetzer have been striking the ball as well as I think I have ever seen, so to lose two of our top players is always a bit of a setback to start,” Coezter maintained.

Rashid, who becomes the youngest skipper conceded 68 runs in his nine overs after dismissing Richie Berrington. For the third-wicket MacLeod knitted 208-run partnership which reflected the strength of Scotland’s batting order.

“Luckily enough it was Richie and I who were able to get in and capitalise on a good wicket,” Coetzer said.

Scotland had an impressive start in the qualifying campaign by routing much-fancied Afghanistan.

Moreover, Coetzer praised MacLeod for scintillating innings. He further termed the ex-Durham player’s innings best in the Scottish fold.

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With an emphatic win, Scotland claimed two points with their Net Run-rate as +0.308. The team is placed second in the list of Group B.

The tournament kicked off on March 4 and will run through March 25. Scotland will play their next match on March 6 (Tuesday) against Hong Kong in Bulawayo.

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ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018, Round Up: Day 1

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