Scotland partially atoned for heavy losses to Afghanistan and Namibia, but this in a way was even more frustrating as they threatened to cause a T20 World Cup upset against New Zealand but could not see it through.
Few had given them a hope against the fourth-best team in the world but strong performances from Mark Watt with the ball and Michael Leask with the bat deserved more than a 16-run loss as the Saltires failed to chase down the Black Caps’ total of 172 for five.
There was, mercifully, no repeat of the batting capitulation that had marred their two previous Super 12 encounters but, needing a complete team performance, Scotland were again found wanting and left themselves too much to do.
The star of the show was undoubtedly New Zealand's Martin Guptill who made 93 from 56 balls, a knock that included seven maximums and six fours.
One of the most consistent batters of his generation, the 35 year-old opener surpassed 3000 T20I runs as part of a 105-run partnership that rescued New Zealand after they had found themselves wobbling at 52 for three.
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With captain Kane Williamson recording a rare T20I duck — caught behind off the bowling of Safyaan Sharif — and Devon Conway falling for one off Watt’s first delivery, it required all of Guptill’s experience to lead New Zealand to a tally that would prove too great for Scotland.
He did so in obvious discomfort at times as the 35C heat and oppressive humidity took its toll but kept going until the penultimate over when he was caught by Calum MacLeod as he attempted to take Brad Wheal over the ropes one more time.
Scotland did well to restrict their opponents to 172 when at one point 190 looked a distinct possibility but needed at least one half-century from their batters to give themselves a chance.
They were ahead of the required rate by the halfway point but none of their top order could surpass 27, with only Leask’s late flurry of 42 from 20 balls offering any kind of sustained resistance. Scotland finished on 156 for five.
A few more flashes of the blade between the 11th and 16th overs would have seen them through, leaving Shane Burger, the head coach, wondering what might have been.
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“So close but just not quite good enough in the end,” was his assessment. “We know that we could have done enough — and should have done enough — to get over the line against a very good cricket team who are ranked fourth in the world.
“There are quite a few areas you can look into where we just weren’t quite on the money. But getting more opportunities in environments like this is the only way you can see our players getting better.”
Leask atoned for a dropped catch with his dazzling performance with the bat that offered up some late hope, even if New Zealand never really looked in any real danger of capitulating.
Ideally the Aberdonian would not have been needed at all if the top order had fired but, just as each man seemed to be settling in, a wicket would tumble.
Captain Kyle Coetzer returned from injury to make 17, fellow opener George Munsey fell for 22 trying to bludgeon a third successive maximum off Ish Sodhi and Matthew Cross struck five boundaries in succession before being bowled by Tim Southee.
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Watt was again impressively economical, conceding just 13 runs from his four overs to tighten things up in the middle of the New Zealand innings.
Coetzer was satisfied with the overall team performance before tomorrow’s meeting with India.
“The point I made to the playing group and staff the other day was that I don’t really mind how the results go, as much as we want to win,” he said. “It is more about how we show ourselves on this stage and how we play our cricket. This game has given us a bit more confidence again.”