IMC Masters O40s World Cup: Coetzer’s century, Akbar’s five-for power Scotland to 178-run victory

Kyle Coetzer struck a century and Azeem Akbar claimed five wickets for just seven runs as Scotland defeated Rest of the World by 178 runs in the IMC Over-40s World Cup at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Georgetown, on Monday.

Coetzer’s 104 helped Scotland recover from early setbacks to reach 232 for five from their 45 overs, before Akbar led a dominant bowling performance that dismissed Rest of the World for 54 in 27.3 overs. None of the opposition batsmen reached double figures.
Scotland’s decision to bat first initially brought mixed fortunes. Hasham Khan bowled John Vaughan-Davies for three and Ayaz Gul without scoring in the fifth over, leaving the innings at 26 for two.
Coetzer steadied the batting alongside Chris Keltie, adding 38 for the third wicket before Keltie was trapped lbw by Luis Hermida for 19 off 30 balls, including two fours.
Captain Shaun Coetzer then joined Kyle in a fourth-wicket partnership of 61. Shaun contributed 25 from 47 deliveries, striking a four and a six, before being bowled by Showbeez with Scotland on 125 in the 26th over.
The innings gained further strength through a 99-run fifth-wicket stand between Kyle and Stuart Campbell. Kyle anchored the recovery with six fours and a six in his 118-ball innings before being caught by opposing captain Muhammad Waqqas off Hermida at 224 for five in the 44th over.
Campbell finished unbeaten on 41 from 61 deliveries, with two fours, while Julian De Jager added seven not out from four balls. Rest of the World also conceded 33 extras, including 21 wides.
Hasham Khan finished with two for 46 from nine overs and Hermida took two for 41 from six. Showbeez was the most economical of the wicket-takers, returning one for 30 from nine overs.
Rest of the World’s pursuit of 233 quickly unravelled. De Jager had Daniel Jacobs caught behind by David Holloway for two in the opening over, before Akbar trapped Rehan Khan lbw for three to leave the batting side seven for two.
Akbar then removed Kashif Ijaz for eight and Damian Westwood for three, while Ali Imran was run out without scoring. Harshad Ghodke’s dismissal for six, also to Akbar, left Rest of the World struggling at 27 for six.
Fida Ullah Khan and Hasham Khan added 15 before Akbar bowled Fida for eight to complete his five-wicket haul. Hasham followed for four without another run being added, caught by Ayaz Gul off Sahil Chopra.
Ryan Hepburn removed Hammad Saeed for six and Waqqas for five to complete the rout, leaving Showbeez unbeaten without scoring. Ijaz and Fida shared the top score of eight, while nine extras exceeded every individual contribution.
Akbar’s nine-over spell included five maidens. Hepburn supported him with two for six from 4.3 overs, while Chopra took one for six from five and De Jager one for 11 from four.
Meanwhile, Namibia defeated Colombia by six wickets at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground. Colombia made 178 for nine from 45 overs, led by Abhas Srivastava’s 69 and Christopher Laas’ 39, while Asad Abbas claimed four for 30 and Hendrik Geldenhuys three for 24.
Namibia reached 179 for four in 36 overs, with captain Gerrie Snyman unbeaten on 53 and John Valentin contributing 51. Jaco Duvenhage added 33 as Namibia completed the chase with nine overs to spare.
The World Cup continues today with six matches, five of which are spread across Demerara while Albion in Berbice will see action as well.
Australia will face Canada at Enmore Community Centre ground while West Indies will host defending champions South Africa at the National Stadium, Providence. New Zealand jump into action against the USA at Police Sports Club, Rest of the Caribbean clash with India at GCC, Scotland will look to continue their winning ways against England in Berbice.
Rest of the World will look to rebound against Wales at Lusignan.
The fifteen team tournament runs for the next two weeks, culminating in the grand finale on October 31 at Providence. (Michelangelo Jacobus)