Cross stars as Scotland defeat UAE

Scotland edged ahead of UAE in the battle for second place in the Desert Tri-Series with a 31-run victory at the ICC Academy in Dubai in the penultimate match of the competition.

Matthew Cross was the star of the day, hitting 107 not out from 110 deliveries to register his first ODI hundred. The 25-year-old, batting at No.3, came to the crease in the seventh over and refused to budge, hitting 10 fours and two sixes to guide Scotland to a competitive total of 249/8.

Cross received able support from his captain Kyle Coetzer (28), George Munsey (45) and Safyaan Sharif (22), with leg-spinner Shaiman Anwar (3/61) the pick of the UAE attack.

Scotland's disciplined bowling display was a group effort, with Sharif, Stuart Whittingham, Alasdair Evans and Mark Watt each taking two wickets. Watt, the 21-year-old left-arm spinner, proved the most economical, conceding just 33 runs from his nine overs.

Ireland have already been crowned winners of the Desert Tri-Series having won all four of their matches. The last match of the tournament takes place on Tuesday when Scotland and UAE meet again at the same venue.