From 122/6 To 289/9, Michael Leask Pulls Off Heist As Scotland Beat Ireland On Last-Ball
Michael Leask punches the air after leading Scotland to a stunning win [Twitter]
Scotland batting all-rounder Michael Leask scripted a heist on Wednesday afternoon in Harare as he smashed an unbeaten 61-ball 91 to help his side pull off a last-ball, last-wicket run-chase against Ireland in the ongoing ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2023.
Chasing 287, the Scotts were reeling at 6-122 in the 28th over when Leask came to the crease.
What followed next was a brutal onslaught laced with imperious drives, cuts, and disdainful pull strokes as the right-hander took the run-chase by the scruff off its neck.
Leask smashed 9 fours and as many as 4 monstrous sixes in his knock, and he was brilliantly supported by Mark Watt, who also chipped in with a rapid 43-ball 47.
The duo came together at the score of 152/7, and by the time George Dockrell knocked over Watt, they had already added 82 runs in just over 12 overs.
But, there was still a lot of work to be done as Scotland still needed 53 runs off the last 30 deliveries.
Leask then decided to take matters into his own hands and he went on to smash left-arm seamer Joshua Little for 2 sixes and a couple of 4s to reduce the equation to 22 runs off the last 3. He stayed deep in his crease and kept slogging it over deep mid-wicket or long-on.
The next 2 overs produced 14 runs, leaving Leask with the task of getting another 8 in the last 6 deliveries.
He started with a four thanks to a misfield from Harry Tector at long-on. However, the dismissal of Safyaan Sharif spiced up things, and it eventually came down to 2 runs off the last final delivery.
The right-handed Leask, proceeded to swing hard, but he could only manage an inside-edge. But, it didn't matter as the ball beat the keeper to run to the boundary line, giving Scotland a stunning win.
As expected, Leask was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' for his sensational knock.
 "Yash Mittal")
