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BBC News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland ease to 39-run T20 win over Netherlands
Men's International Twenty20 Match: Scotland v Netherlands, ClydesdaleScotland 160-8: McCreath 40, Cross 33; Dutt 3-17Netherlands 121 (18.1): Levitt 36, van Meekeren 20; Sharif 2-13Scotland win by 39 runsScorecard Scotland have defeated the Netherlands by 39 runs in their opening T20 international tri-series match in a target of 160-8 by their hosts, the Dutch were all out for 121 after 18.1 was revenge for Scotland's defeat by the same opponents three days ago in their Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Sharif, Jack Jarvis and Mark Watt took two wickets apiece as the Scots, who face Nepal on Tuesday in their second match, defended their total with some comfort after a delayed start at Clydesdale Cricket Dutt struck with the first balls of his second and third overs, wicketkeeper Scott Edwards stumping opener Watt and then taking a catch to account for Brandon McMullen to leave the hosts on 23 for two as the tourists capitalised on their decision to Munsey's 17-ball 30, which included three sixes and two fours, gave Scotland some momentum, but when he fell to Zach Lion-Cachet and Liam Naylor and Michal Leask soon followed, they were under Finlay McCreath and skipper Matthew Cross put on 57 for the sixth wicket before McCreath went for 40 and Cross joined him back in the pavilion for 33, with Dutt's three for 17 the pick of the bowling Dutch reply got off to a positive start when opener Michael Levitt took 15 from McMullen's first Max O'Dowd and Lion-Cachet fell cheaply as they were reduced to 23 for two before skipper Edwards was run out for four with only 13 more having been added to the departure for 36 in the ninth over left the Dutch with a mountain to Jarvis dismissed Teja Nidamanuru and Roelof van der Merwe in quick succession, their cause looked forlorn and they were eventually able to muster only 121 as they were all out with 11 balls remaining.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Proud' Sharif adds another landmark to fine career
In the midst of a quite remarkable one-day international in Dundee on Thursday, Safyaan Sharif squared up Dutch opener Michael Levitt, found the outside edge of the bat and saw the ball fly safely into the hands of Brandon McMullen at short third. It was Sharif's 259th wicket in Scotland colours. He now stands alone as his country's most prolific bowler, moving past Majid Haq at the top of the 34-year-old is no stranger to landmark moments. His inswinging yorker that hit Mark Wood on the toe in 2018 sealed one of the great ODI wins by any team as Scotland beat Eoin Morgan's all-conquering England moment alone was enough to secure his place within the history of Scottish cricket, but his 259th scalp highlights his longevity and his enduring quality."It was a proud moment to break a milestone," Sharif said. "Just thinking back on all the sacrifices I've made and the hard work that's been put in to get to where I am - it's a nice reminder of where I started and what I've achieved."He finished the defeat by the Dutch with figures of 3-62, taking him to 261 Scotland wickets in total. He has the chance to add to that tally in a T20 tri-series against the same opposition and Nepal, starting in Glasgow on Sunday. Having made his international debut in 2011, Sharif has been a fixture for the national team during periods of ups and downs."To be a seam bowler, play the length of time he has and persist with what's required to stay fit and produce for his country has been a phenomenal achievement," Sharif's former team-mate Kyle Coetzer told BBC Scotland."To rack up the number of wickets he has, the numbers don't lie. He's got to rank up there as one of Scotland's greatest ever." The 'funny character' who is 'a pleasure to captain' Alongside the impressive raw statistics, Coetzer - who captained Scotland for nine years - praised Sharif's character and his desire to step up in high pressure scenarios."It was a pleasure to captain Saffy," Coetzer said. "He would be willing to bowl the hard overs and those are the characters you want in your team. I trusted him and knew he had the skills."Born in Huddersfield before growing up in Fife, Sharif has made no secret of his father's influence on his cricketing introduction to the game was watching his dad from the sidelines before getting involved himself at Dunnikier Cricket Club in Kirkcaldy. He played for Largo and Dunfermline, before his talents led to regional recognition and then full Scotland honours at the age of just 20."I remember him coming through as this slight lad with a really fashionable hairdo and he was very raw," Coetzer said. "He's a really easy going guy and he's a funny character. To see where he has got to is through his hard work behind the scenes. "He's had to develop his game, find new ways to take wickets and for Saffy to keep rejuvenating himself is something to be really proud of."Around the time he broke into the Scotland set-up, Sharif followed his father's advice and went to Pakistan to train. By his own admission, he came back a more rounded bowler. The skills he developed over time have seen him dismiss the likes of Chris Gayle and Kane Williamson in a long international career."He was known for swinging the ball, then learned to move the ball off the pitch and developed his slower balls and death skills," Coetzer said."When I was playing with Saffy, those skills won us a lot of games at the back end."Sharif says having loved ones at Forthill to see him remove Levitt made it all the more special, but that it would not have come to pass without the graft put in behind the scenes."It's been one hell of a journey," Sharif said. "Without the hard work and sacrifice, you won't be able to achieve anything. The support I've had from family and friends has been amazing."My dad was there, some family friends and a lot of supporters from Perth where I currently play club cricket. To enjoy that moment with everyone was special."
Int'l Cricket Council
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
New rankings best for Scotland star after League 2 efforts
There is also some joy for Safyaan Sharif on the rankings for ODI bowlers, with the experienced seamer improving eight spots to equal 64th following a pair of tidy efforts with the ball against the UAE and Netherlands. The start of the T20I series between Bangladesh and the UAE has also seen some change in the rankings for the shortest format, with in-form skipper Muhammad Waseem the biggest winner following his innings of 54 and 82 from the first two contests. The UAE star was adjudged Player of the Match for his knock in the second T20I as UAE levelled the series and the right-hander was duly rewarded by gaining eight spots to improve to 19th overall on the latest rankings for T20I batters.
