ICC World Cup Qualifiers, 2018: Day 5 – Statistical Highlights

The league stage of the World Cup Qualifiers came to an end with Nepal registering a big win over Hong Kong to push Afghanistan into the Super Sixes round. Zimbabwe and Scotland remained unbeaten as both featured in a tied game in Bulawayo. Ireland qualified for the Super Sixes from Group A by registering a huge win over UAE. Despite the loss, UAE also moved further as West Indies thumped the Netherlands in a rain-affected game in Harare

All the major stats and numbers that were recorded during the final round of the league stage games:

2 – Safyaan Sharif (5) and Michael Leask (4) taking four-wicket hauls is the 2nd instance of two Scotland bowlers taking 4-fers in an ODI. Iain Wardlaw (4) and Josh Davey (6) shared ten wickets in the game against Afghanistan in 2015. Scotland also became the first associate nation to achieve this feat against a full-member nation.

3 – The game between Scotland and Zimbabwe is the 3rd tied ODI match at the Queens Sports Club ground in Bulawayo. These are the most number of Tied ODIs at a venue as six other venues witnessed two tied ODI matches each.

26 – Kevin O’Brien’s 26-ball fifty against UAE is the 3rd fastest ODI fifty for Ireland. His 24-ball fifty also against UAE in 2015 CWC is the fastest ODI fifty for Ireland. Paul Stirling scored a fifty off 25 balls against the Netherlands in the 2011 CWC.

91 – UAE’s total of 91 against Ireland is their lowest total in ODI cricket. This was also the first time UAE bundled out below 100 in this format. Their previous lowest ODI total was 102 against India in the 2015 CWC.

This is also the first time Ireland bowled out a team under 100 in ODI format. Their previous lowest ODI total against Ireland for any team is 104 by Afghanistan in the 2012 Dublin ODI.

205 – The 205-run opening stand between William Porterfield and Paul Stirling is Ireland’s first ever double century opening partnership in ODI cricket. This is also their 2nd biggest partnership for any wicket in ODIs behind the 227-run stand for the 4th wicket between Porterfield and Kevin O’Brien in 2007 against Kenya. This was the 3rd double century partnership for Ireland in ODI format with all of them including Porterfield.

226 – Ireland’s 226-run win over UAE is their biggest win in terms of runs in the ODI cricket. Their previous biggest win by 133 runs against Canada in the 2011 ODI. This is also UAE’s biggest ODI defeat as they previously lost by 169 runs against South Africa in the 1996 CWC.