Kathryn Bryce’s stunning unbeaten century and three wickets were not yet enough to live out Scotland’s World Cup hopes as Ireland stolen a one-wicket victory in the final ball in Lahore.
The Scots could potentially place second in the qualifying tournament, coupled with Bangladesh’s defeat against Pakistan on Saturday, with Ireland not already finishing their running.
And despite a volatile start at 19-3, Bryce controlled with a personal best knock of 131, supporting the highest ODI score of 268, the highest ever ODI score, as Scotland was good at the victory.
However, Ireland roa to set up a very tense final, during which Bryce hit with four and took the third wicket, then a successive legby on the last two balls gave Ireland the two runs needed for the victory.
Ailsa Lister fell from 27 balls to 27 balls in the 20th Scotland’s impressive innings after sharing 62 partnerships with Bryce.
The skipper continued to support Megan McCall (15), Katherine Fraser (33) and Priyanaz Chatterji (26).
And Rachel Slater arrived in the crease for the final five overs, finishing 13 from the ball of 11 as Bryce completes an incredible inning with the 14th four since the final delivery and goes with her two sixes.
Irish captain Gabeeriz began his resistance with a bat and scored 109 for his first wicket with fellow opener Sara Forbes, but crossed the line with a crucial unbeaten 57 for Laura Delaney.
After losing Leah Paul (11), Louise Little (1) and Sophie McMahon (3) in four overs, Delany defeated the crucial eighth wicket stand along with Jane Maguire, earning 50 from 36 balls.
When Maguire was caught from Slater’s bowling just before the 49th inning, it looked as if momentum had swinged the Scottish path again, just as Blythe bowled the ball and was hit with four in the final.
But with two deliveries remaining, Cara Murray and Delany both profited from legby, breaking Scotland’s hearts and ending their hopes of playing in the fall World Cup in India.
They ended the campaign with five matches and two wins, as did Ireland, which is behind Ireland’s top two Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The West Indies could leap Bangladesh with a big victory over Thailand, assuming Pakistan’s victory.
