Scotland maintained their unbeaten record with a 5 wicket win over the UAE at Sunnybrook here today, but not without a few anxious moments. Their win sets up an interesting encounter with the Netherlands later in the tournament, in a battle that will likely decide the top placing in Group A.

On a bright sunny day UAE won the toss and elected to bat on a hard true, but somewhat slow wicket. The two teams gathered in the middle for a minute of silence in memory of the father of Scots opener Bruce Patterson, a moving tribute to a strong supporter of Scottish cricket. The openers Babar Malik and Nasir Siddiqi played well, and the highly rated Scottish seam attack of Blane and Asim Butt had little success. Their partnership had reached 51 off 13 overs without really being troubled when the astute move of bringing spinner Maiden paid off immediately. Babar Malik was beaten by a quicker ball and bowled, just as he seemed to be opening out, having hit Butt for a big six over mid-off. Asim Saeed was fooled by another faster ball in Maiden's next over and was caught off bat and pad. Brinkley had reduced his run and pace, bowling mostly cutters, and got his reward when Ahmed Nadeem edged a catch to Smith, a neat take standing up. The collapse continued when Nasir Siddiqi's patient innings (18 off 78 balls) was ended by a sharp delivery from Brinkley that caught him lbw. Maiden was bowling beautifully, and the UAE bats found him almost impossible to score off. Only Khumran Khan (29) showed much resistance as the middle order crumbled. Maiden finished with the most impressive figures of four for eight off 10 overs with, aptly, four maidens. Brinkley supported him well tasking 3 for 25 on a wicket that did not assist his normal style. The UAE would be disappointed with their final total of just 119, after passing fifty without losing a wicket.

The Scots chose Wright, who normally bats well down the order, to fill in as opener (replacement Fraser Watts only arrived at the ground after the match had started), and batted sensibly in his new role. The UAE opening pacers kept things very tight, and Ahmed Nadeem induced an edge from Lockhart to make the initial breakthrough. Smith and Wright proceeded cautiously, and the score was only 34 when fielding restrictions were lifted. Smith was run out in the next over, when Wright failed to respond to his call. With spinners on at both ends, and close fielders around the bat the pressure was mounting. Wright had batted slowly (12 from 78 balls), and when he edged a faster ball down leg to the keeper, Scotland were struggling at 37/3. In an inspired move, Asim Butt was promoted in the order to stir things up, and this he did with great effect, combining powerful drives with defence and sensible singles. After surviving being stumped from a no-ball he drove his third ball for a towering six over long off. A UAE fielder helped a second six over the ropes, a catch that should have been taken at deep square leg, and the close fielders dispersed to all corners of the ground. Two more sixes disappeared over mid wicket, and suddenly Scotland were cruising towards an easy win. Asim Butt was dropped again at deep square, but eventually swung over a good length ball and was bowled for an exciting 37, his highest score for Scotland.

Parsons had stayed with Butt, playing sensibly and giving him the strike. Salmond looked to be out of touch and struggled before edging a catch to the keeper, but Williamson removed any further doubt by smashing a four and two sixes to finish off a comfortable victory with over 14 overs to spare.

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