Cricket

Kathryn Bryce leads Scotland to clinical chase against UAE

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 15, 2026, 18:00 IST

Scotland Women secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over UAE in the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy, powered by a brilliant half-century from Kathryn Bryce after an early top-order collapse.

Kathryn Bryce leads Scotland to clinical chase against UAE

Overcoming an early setback

Scotland Women demonstrated immense composure at the Karwan Cricket Ground in Ajman, successfully chasing down a target of 139 to defeat the United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in Match 11 of the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy. The victory was far from straightforward, however, as the Scottish chase began in the worst possible fashion. With just three balls bowled, the side found themselves in immediate trouble when Darcey Carter fell for a duck, leaving the team reeling at 0/1. The pressure mounted as Scotland lost two early wickets, forcing the middle order to rebuild the innings under significant scrutiny.

The Bryce masterclass

Kathryn Bryce proved to be the architect of the recovery, anchoring the innings with a masterful 51 off 36 balls. Her ability to rotate the strike and find the boundary under pressure shifted the momentum firmly back into Scotland’s favour. Supported by Sarah Bryce, the pair navigated the middle overs with precision, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable. By the time the winning runs were struck, Scotland had reached 142/3, completing a clinical turnaround that showcased the depth of their batting lineup.

UAE's competitive total

Earlier in the day, the United Arab Emirates had opted to bat first after winning the toss, setting a competitive total of 138/4 from their allotted 20 overs. Esha Oza led the charge for the hosts, crafting a well-paced 64 off 52 balls. She found a reliable partner in Heena Hotchandani, who contributed a steady 43 off 42 balls to help build a platform for the UAE. Despite their efforts, Scotland’s bowling attack remained disciplined throughout the innings. Kirstie Gordon was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 2/24 from her four overs to keep the UAE scoring rate in check. While Samaira Dharnidharka also made an impact during the contest, Scotland’s resilience in the second innings ultimately proved the difference, securing a vital win in the tournament.