Singapore lost to the United Arab Emirates 172 to 174 in the ACC Cup for men on Saturday. The visitors secured their second consecutive victory, while the hosts extended their winless run to three matches. And here's the thing — the margin was just two runs, the sort of finish that leaves both sides nursing regrets.
The table shift is immediate. UAE move clear at the summit with four points from two games, while Singapore remain rooted in fifth place after three defeats have yielded nothing. To be fair, the hosts have faced tougher opposition in their opening fixtures, but the points gap is widening regardless.
Singapore's recent results paint a consistent picture. They've lost to Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Tanzania in their last five outings, with only Uganda providing a narrow escape. By then of the tournament, the pressure will have built considerably.
The visitors have been on a different trajectory. Four wins in five games includes dominant performances against Kuwait and Qatar, though they've tasted defeat against Scotland and Oman. The deeper squad has shown its value in these back-to-back fixtures.
The result leaves Singapore with a mountain to climb. A two-goal deficit in cricket is manageable, but three losses in a row changes the complexion of the tournament dramatically. The hosts will need to find consistency before the group stage tightens further.