Scotland chokes two-time Champs West Indies at T20 World Cup

 

Another major upset occurred on Monday when Scotland defeated the two-time Twenty20 World Cup champions West Indies by 42 runs thanks to George Munsey's unbeaten half-century and some brilliant bowling.

The shocking outcome came a day after Namibia humiliated Asia Cup champion, Sri Lanka, in the opening game of the competition in Australia. Munsey led Scotland to 160-5 in the opening round encounter in Hobart after being given the opportunity to bat first with a 53-ball 66 that included nine boundaries.

West Indies, champions in 2012 and 2016, were dismissed for 118 in 18.3 overs under the direction of left-arm spinner Mark Watt.

After accomplishing the feat last year, underdog Scotland is on track to finish in the Super 12 for a second consecutive season.

"Obviously, this is a unique victory for us. worked very hard and has given us faith, "added Richie Berrington, the captain of Scotland.

"Although we haven't played as much T20 cricket as we'd want, we have played a lot of 50-over cricket. It was about adapting those abilities for the compressed form."

Scotland got off to a fast start, scoring 52 runs in just 5.3 overs thanks to left-handed batsmen Munsey and Michael Jones before the game was stopped by rain.

Alzarri Joseph's first over in a T20 World Cup cost 15 runs, but Munsey blasted a flurry of boundaries, including three straight fours off him.

As soon as play started following the 45-minute rain delay, Jason Holder dismissed Jones for 20 runs and then dismissed Matthew Cross for three runs in his subsequent over, appearing to stop the batting momentum.

Munsey, who was awarded man of the match, maintained his composure and made an effort to resurrect Berrington, who made a strong start but fell on 16 off Joseph.

Munsey, who was representing Scotland in his 54th T20 match, got his maiden T20 World Cup fifty thanks to a cameo from Calum MacLeod, who scored 23 off 14 balls.

Munsey put up a strong showing by hitting three fours in the 20th over of Odean Smith, which saw 15 runs scored.

If West Indies want to advance to the Super 12 stage, they have no more room for error. Nicholas Pooran, the captain, expressed his disappointment, saying, "Tough loss for us."

"We have to put in a lot of effort and win two games. We must accept responsibility and accountability."

In the West Indies response, Kyle Mayers got off to an aggressive start with three boundaries, but he mistimed a shot and was taken out by Munsey off pace bowler Josh Davey for 20.

In an effort to score as soon as possible during the first six overs of the powerplay, when only two fielders are permitted outside the inner circle, Evin Lewis and Brandon King retaliated with a flurry of boundaries.

However, their stay was brief as left-handed Lewis was out for 14 and King was out for 17 after being bowled by Watt, who had a 3-over total of 3-12.

When off-spinner Michael Leask dismissed Pooran for five, the two-time champions fell farther behind at 62-4.

Even though Holder, the last man out, made a brave 38, the remainder of the West Indies batting collapsed as Scotland's spinners continued to chip away.