The United Arab Emirates and Scotland took major strides towards qualifying for next year's Cricket World Cup after key wins in the qualifying tournament in New Zealand.
Both teams will probably have to lose heavily in the final round of the Super Six phase on Thursday to be denied berths in the 2015 tournament jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
The 10-team qualifying tournament, which began on January 13, finishes with a final in Lincoln on Saturday to determine which seven-team group the two finalists will compete in at the World Cup.
The top-ranked UAE are in the box seat to reach the final after a 13-run win over Kenya in Christchurch on Tuesday kept them at the top of the Super Six standings.
Scotland joined them on six points with a crucial 52-run defeat of Papua New Guinea in Lincoln.
Hong Kong kept their hopes alive with a 76-run thrashing of Namibia at Rangiora.
Either of the two leading teams could be passed by Papua New Guinea or Hong Kong, who both have four points and meet in Lincoln on Thursday.
UAE will guarantee qualification if they beat Namibia in Rangiora on Thursday while Scotland can do the same with victory over Kenya in Christchurch.
Share
