Scotland bounced back in superb fashion behind an outstanding display from their bowlers as they defeated the UAE by nine runs in a low-scoring thriller.
Batting first, the Saltires posted 121 on a tricky pitch, with Matthew Cross (35) and George Munsey (26) helping their side fight to a competitive total.
And it was a total that proved too much for the UAE, with Jack Jarvis (3-21) leading a superb all-round bowling performance as the hosts were restricted to 112-9 in reply.
Debutant James Dickinson, who took 1-23 from his four overs, said: “It’s a great win for the team, bouncing back after yesterday – we just wanted to go out and enjoy the game and take the series into the final game.
“It was amazing to make my debut, there were a few nerves which I think is pretty normal, but I really enjoyed being out there, and it’s a great group to be involved with.
“We’ve shown some good signs in these first two games, so hopefully now we can put a complete performance together, dominate the final game and take the series.”
Scotland’s top-order found it difficult early on once again, as Oli Hairs (0) and Brandon McMullen (1) fell to Junaid Siddique in consecutive overs.
Charlie Tear, on T20I debut, struck a couple of sweetly timed boundaries through the offside, but he would fall to Akif Raja for 16, gifting Muhammed Waseem a simple catch.
After striking a brutal six over the leg-side to move to 26, George Munsey was the next to depart, adjudged caught behind off Hazrat Luqman.
After losing four wickets inside the powerplay, Matthew Cross and Jack Jarvis were tasked with rebuilding the Saltires innings. The pair did so steadily, advancing the score to 80 in the 13th over before Basil Hameed snared Jarvis (20).
Hameed then removed Michael Leask (5) cheaply, as his pair of quick wickets halted Scotland’s progress at 88-6.
James Dickinson (15) and Matthew Cross added 26 for the seventh wicket, but both would fall to the outstanding Junaid Siddique, who recorded his second-straight four-fer, in the closing overs, as Scotland finished on 121-8.
In contrast to the opening T20I, the Scots’ defence got off to the best possible start, taking four wickets in the powerplay.
Gavin Main had Tanish Suri (2) caught low down at cover by Brandon McMullen, and Brad Currie took the big wicket of Muhammed Waseem (7), trapping him LBW.
Jack Jarvis then got in on the act as he removed Aryan Lakra and Rahul Chopra in successive overs as the UAE slumped to 24-4.
Scotland spinners Hamza Tahir and James Dickinson continued to tighten the screws and keep the pressure on their opponents, which eventually told.
With the final ball of the ninth over, Dickinson, on debut, took a sharp caught and bowled opportunity to remove Basil Hameed (8), and earn his first international wicket.
Alishan Sharafu and Aayan Khan rebuilt the innings as they advanced the score to 71, before Michael Leask struck an important blow in his only over to dismiss the former for 35.
Wickets continued to fall as Muhammad Zuhaib (13) was run out, and Jack Jarvis picked up his third as Aayan Khan (16) was caught by Matthew Cross.
Akif Raja threatened one more twist as he struck his first two balls for four and six to bring the game back into the balance, and leave the UAE requiring 13 from the final over.
However, Gavin Main held his nerve superbly, restricting the chasing side to just three from the final set as they fell nine runs short.
Scotland and the UAE will go again tomorrow in the final T20I, with the series on the line.
