Scotland Women defeated Ireland in a historic day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium to qualify for a World Cup for the first time ever.
Scotland’s victory over Ireland secured qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for October in Bangladesh.
A stunning spell up front from Kathryn Bryce (4-8) decimated the Ireland top order, and they could only post 110-9 after electing to bat first.
In reply, a maiden T20I half-century from Megan McColl set Scotland on their way, and it was left to Kathryn Bryce to hit the winning runs, in the middle wither her sister Sarah Bryce, as the target was reached for the loss of just two wickets.
Reflecting on the qualification for the World Cup, Sarah Bryce said: “It’s unbelievable, I feel like we’ve worked so hard for this for so long, and had our share of disappointments.
“To finally get over the line, it makes me well up every time I start thinking about it, we’re actually going to a World Cup.
“It’s always been a dream of mine just like it has for everyone here, to go and play at the highest level for your country is unbelievable.”
It was a dream start for Scotland as Kathryn Bryce struck with just her second ball, bowling Amy Hunter who looked to advance down the wicket.
It got even better for Bryce when she removed Gaby Lewis without scoring, the opener pulling straight to Ailsa Lister who took a sharp catch at mid-wicket.
Orla Prendergast found the boundary twice off Rachel Slater as she looked to steady the ship, but disaster struck for Ireland on the first ball of Kathryn Bryce’s second over.
Laura Delany cut to point where Slater made a terrific tumbling stop, with Prendergast caught well short of her ground as Ireland attempted a quick single.
Delany (2) herself would then depart, undone by a superb delivery from Kathryn Bryce that clipped the top of the stumps, leaving the Irish reeling on 21-4.
The pressure was continuing to build on Ireland, and it told when Eimar Richardson looked to go aerial against Kathryn Bryce, but could only hit it straight up in the air to mid-off, where Abtaha Maqsood took a steepling catch.
Leah Paul offered resistance for Ireland, as she alongside Rebecca Stokell added 22 for the sixth wicket, before Stokell (8) came unstuck, stumped off the bowling of Abtaha Maqsood.
Paul was then joined by Arlene Kelly, who looked to take on the game, and began to find the boundary with more regularity.
The half-century partnership was brought up in 43 deliveries, as Ireland recovered to 97-6 with two overs remaining.
The breakthrough final came in the final over as Slater struck, Kelly holing out to Ailsa Lister on the mid-wicket boundary, as she departed for an outstanding 35.
Slater had her second just two balls later, as Paul’s fine innings came to an end, driving to Maqsood who took a simple catch at cover.
It was two in two balls as Slater cleaned up Cara Murray first ball, as an excellent final over that brought three wickets saw Ireland finish on 110-9.
Scotland’s pursuit of that total started superbly, Megan McColl finding the boundary in the second over with a terrific uppercut over point.
McColl and Saskia Horley added 49 in 45 deliveries for the opening wicket, Arlene Kelly finding the breakthrough as she bowled Horley (10) attempting to scoop.
Kathryn Bryce was soon into her stride, dispatching her third ball for four, bisecting square leg and mid-wicket.
She then took Kelly for consecutive boundaries, carving her away through backward point before a sumptuous drive through extra cover.
Megan McColl would reach her first T20I half-century from 46 deliveries, but her innings would then come to an end with the next delivery she faced, bowled by Kelly.
It was then left to Kathryn Bryce (35*), in the middle with Sarah Bryce (5*) to hit the winning runs, thumping Richardson back down the ground for four to seal a remarkable victory.
