Scotland booked their place at next year’s T20 World Cup after squeezing past Denmark in their penultimate qualifying match.
That 33-run victory was enough to send the Saltires through to the finals in the USA and the West Indies, alongside Ireland whose game with Germany across the city at Goldenacre was washed out.
The two Celtic nations will meet in the final qualifying contest of the tournament at a sell-out Grange on Friday afternoon – weather permitting - knowing that their World Cup places are already secured but with top spot in the group still up for grabs.
It means a fourth successive appearance at the T20 finals for Scotland, an achievement that will partially atone for narrowly missing out on a berth at this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
Barring one anxious rain delay against Germany in their opening game and a mini batting collapse against Jersey, Scotland have lived up to their pre-tournament tag as joint favourites by winning all five games played so far.
“We’re feeling pretty good as qualifying was our goal at the start of the tournament,” said captain Richie Berrington. “We had to make sure we got ourselves to the World Cup so I’m absolutely delighted for this group of players.
“It’s really well deserved for the work we put in but also for the performances we’ve put in consistently over a period of time. I’m extremely proud of the boys.
“We’re definitely going to enjoy this but it would be really nice to finish this tournament off with a win over Ireland.
“It’s certainly one we’re looking forward to. Scotland vs Ireland is always a good battle with some close games in recent times. And to win at home would be really special in front of a sold-out crowd.”
The match against Denmark was delayed an hour and reduced to 18 overs per side due to the heavy rain that saw other qualifying matches cancelled.
But the ground staff at the Grange worked a miracle to get it on and Scotland, after struggling to get going with the bat, eventually came through to win and spark the celebrations.
Berrington was the only player to really make hay as he compiled another half-century as Scotland eventually squeezed out 159-7 from their allocated overs.
That put a bit of pressure on the Scottish bowlers and Danish captain Hamid Shah, playing his first game of the tournament after attending to personal matters back home, blasted a half-century to make it a nervy finish before some impressive death bowling got the job done.
Scotland had struggled in their own innings to get into their groove with the bat against the already eliminated Denmark as the rain finally abated to allow play to go ahead.
Oli Hairs managed just 17 before George Munsey went caught and bowled for 12 as the unfancied Danes removed both openers early as the Scots toiled to get the ball off the sodden square.
The picture got even more gloomy when Brandon McMullen departed for 10, leaving Scotland in danger of being embarrassed in their penultimate fixture.
Not for the first time in his career, however, it was Berrington to the rescue as he clubbed his way to his ninth T20I half-century.
But Scottish momentum stalled again when Tomas Mackintosh exited for just 16 leaving his side on 120-4 before Berrington was caught off a looping full toss for 60.
Michael Leask came out full of attacking intent and added a quickfire 20 to take Scotland to a more respectable total that proved eventually to be enough.
Denmark lost a wicket in the second over but didn’t let that disrupt them as they made a game attempt to make inroads into their target.
Shah looked like he could be the man to lead them to a famous win before he chopped onto his own stumps off Safyaan Sharif’s delivery for 56. The last remaining chance of a shock went with him as Scotland secured their passage to another World Cup.
The match against Ireland will likely be the last act of Doug Watson’s time in charge as head coach. The South African succeeded countryman Shane Burger on an interim basis when Burger was hired by Somerset to join their coaching staff but, after two qualifying campaigns, is set to return to his previous post with the Auckland Aces in New Zealand.
But he at least departs on a high having galvanised the team following that disappointment of the 50-over World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe to qualify for the T20 version with some spectacular bowling and batting displays.
