Sorry Scotland are staring at World Cup elimination after being outgunned by Kenya.
The Scots went into their latest Group B match in Dubai on a high following Monday’s win against Nepal.
However, they had no answer to the batting power and bowling guile of veteran Kenyan allrounder Steve Tikolo.
The 42-year-old national hero, who came out of retirement to revive the African country’s ailing fortunes, turned back the clock with a devastating display as Kenya cruised to an easy 92-run win.
Defeat leaves Scotland walking a qualification tightrope for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh and even victory in their last three group matches may not be enough to take them to the knockout stages.
Captain Kyle Coetzer admitted: “They outplayed us in all departments – it’s as simple as that.
“They came out and batted really well and chanced their arm. Having said that, they should never have got as many runs as they did, but they did, and it made it very hard for us to chase down. We got off to a reasonable start with the bat but we just kept on losing wickets and it’s extremely disappointing.”
Tikolo set the tone for Kenya’s dominance by smashing two huge 6s and two 4s in an 11-ball cameo.
His 20 and 25 from opening partner Alex Obanda meant the Kenyans scored at 10 runs an over in the batting power play.
Scotland managed to peg their rivals back with Majid Haq claiming two for 21 and Ian Wardlaw taking two wickets with consecutive deliveries.
However, Kenya overcame their mid-innings wobble to launch a further assault on the Scottish bowling and Ragheb Aga’s 25-ball 52no propelled them to 183 for seven.
The Scotland batsmen came out firing with Richie Berrington, Coetzer and Rob Taylor all looking in the mood only for wickets to fall at crucial stages.
However, at 84 for four after 10 overs, they were still on course to pull off a remarkable run-chase until Tikolo returned to haunt them.
Gordon Goudie (one), Murphy (20) and Safyaan Sharif (nought) were all dismissed by Tikolo and at 89 for eight, beleaguered Scotland found themselves needing 95 runs from 48 balls to win.
Neil Carter soon went for a single off Ngoche and when Aga took a dolly from Wardlaw at mid-on three balls later, it was all over.
Tikolo had claimed four wickets in just eight deliveries as the Scots collapsed to 91 all out.
Coetzer’s men face Papua New Guinea tomorrow, Holland the following day and complete the group stage against Denmark on Sunday, but they will need other results to go their way if they are to stay in with a chance of qualification.