ICC World Cup Qualifier, Benoni:
Canada 252-7 (50 overs) beat Scotland 104 (30.5 overs) by 148 runs

Wright was the pick of Scotland's bowlers, taking three wickets

Scotland lost to Canada by 148 runs at the World Cup qualifying tournament in South Africa.

The Scots had already qualified for the Super 8s after triumphs over Oman, Namibia and Uganda, which followed an opening defeat by Ireland.

Captain Ashish Bagai hit 87 as Canada reached 252-7, while Umar Bhatti claimed three quick wickets to rip through Scotland's top order.

Colin Smith (43) was the only Scottish batsman to offer any resistance.

Veteran wicketkeeper Smith said: "We were outplayed to be fair. But we were the architects of our own downfall. We bowled poorly, too many extras, dropped too many catches.

"I can't explain the way we batted. I'm astonished to be honest.

"I'm obviously very disappointed at the moment and I cannot be giving any answers to the way we've played today.

We're going to have to show some character, some guts and desire that we actually want to get to this World Cup Scotland wicketkeeper Colin Smith

"The total was very achievable on that wicket and outfield, if you could just build a partnership with two guys getting in and start to rotate the strike, but we just lost wickets - it was horrendous.

"They did not bowl deliveries to take wickets. We've played some terrible shots and they've caught them. It's as simple as that. It was poor shot selection."

Scotland's second defeat of the competition means they will head into the second stage playing catch-up as only points against fellow qualifiers are carried through.

"Now we're going to play the four sides from the other group, who are obviously playing reasonably well," said Smith.

"For us, it's a simple equation now. We have four games and we're going to have to win them all."

Smith feels the entire team need to think long and hard about their dreams of playing in the World Cup in 2011.

"We're going to have to show some character, some guts and desire that we actually want to get to this World Cup," he said.

"Because to be honest, we haven't played well, bar one game against Namibia, we just haven't played well at all."

Scotland made a decent start to their chase, reaching 20 in the fourth over, before Bhatti struck a double blow.

First the Canada seamer had Gavin Hamilton, playing a poor shot, caught behind by Bagai for seven, followed by Kyle Coetzer, who also edged behind to the wicketkeeper.

Scotland were in even deeper trouble in Bhatti's next over when they lost captain Ryan Watson for 14.

Navdeep Poonia and Neil McCallum then went in quick succession to Henry Osinde, both caught by Ian Billcliff at second slip, to leave them creaking at 33-5.

Jan Stander and Smith added 26 for the sixth wicket before the former was caught by Bagai off Khurram Chohan for 12.

Craig Wright was then run out for five after a miscommunication between his runner, Watson, and Smith at the non-strikers end.

Jon Blain was caught behind by Bagai off Sunil Dhaniram, and Calum MacLeod, trapped leg before wicket by Rizwan Cheema, also fell quickly, leaving the Scots at 97-9.

And Smith was last man out when he played Cheema on to his stumps, leaving Dewald Nel unbeaten on five.

Canada, who are also through to the Super 8 stage, had Bagai's fine 122-ball innings to thank for a testing total, and Sunil Dhaniram chipped in with 41.

Wright was the pick of Scotland's bowlers, claiming 3-23 in 10 overs.

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