Ryan Watson, the Scotland captain, admitted that he could be dropped from the Saltires line-up after a disastrous 24-run reverse to Kenya left their Cricket World Cup hopes in the balance.
Watson's ignominious tournament continued when he was bowled out for 1 with his side chasing just 179 to win. His team-mates fared little better, leaving the Scots needing to win their final two Super Eight ties with Afghanistan and UAE to retain hope of qualifying. Watson may now step aside for the must-win ties, should coach Pete Steindl deem it necessary.
"Pete makes the call on the final team so if he feels that's the way to go, that's his decision," he said. "I feel I'm contributing in other ways.
"I've bowled 35 overs of decent spin. I've fielded all right. It's a decision for Pete. He'll make the big call and it'll be the right call for the team."
Such a situation looked unlikely when John Blain began a 4-59 haul when he struck twice in four balls early by tempting Kennedy Obuya and Alex Obanda into reckless edges, followed by the scalp of Kenya's captain Steve Tikolo.
Craig Wright chipped in an economical 2-15, Jan Stander claimed 2-21 and Dewald Nel 2-25. Yet the spin of Moneeb Iqbal and Majid Haq, plus the Scottish fielding, was less assured and Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo dug in. Their partnership yielded 49 until Obuya - on 32 - was held by Neil McCallum while Odoyo eventually fell by half-volleying to Kyle Coetzer. On 129-7, the 2003 World Cup semi-finalists were in trouble.
Their tail held its ground before Blain eventually despatched a venomous delivery that polished off Nehemiah Odhiambo for 20. Nel finished it all off, trapping Viren Varaiya (20) before finding a gap inside Lameck Ngoche's bat with two balls remaining.
Losing the toss, though, was critical on a pitch that degraded as the day unfolded. "Whoever went second was always going to struggle," Watson moaned. Hamilton rattled 17 before Odoyo struck. The experiment of opening with Haq ended on 12 when he was stumped off a wide. He was furious. Watson was simply dejected when he was removed LBW.
So it continued. Smith was run out for 9 while Coetzer - just when some patience was required - was plumb out on 16 to leave the Scots on 65-5.
When eventual man of the match Odhiambo rattled one past McCallum, he tore away in celebration.
A bit premature perhaps but his optimism was not misplaced. Although Stander (27) and Wright (23) held the Kenyans at bay, there was a touch of the inevitable when Iqbal was caught behind to leave the Saltires all out for 154 with 16 balls left.
"We have to go out and win the next two games, as simple as that," said coach Steindl. "We've got to be a bit stronger at the top with batting and we've got to maintain good discipline with our bowling. We'll now be focusing on the next game in two days' time."
Canada beat Afghanistan by six wickets to move to the brink of qualifying, as did Ireland with an eight-wicket hammering of the UAE.
Having suffered a surprise 22-run defeat to Afghanistan in their first Super Eight match on Saturday, victory over the UAE was a must for Phil Simmons' team.
UAE won the toss and opted to bat, but they were dismissed for just 133. Ireland reached their victory target in the 28th over and for the loss of just two wickets.
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