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Close but no cigar: Scotland vs Afghanistan

The Scottish team could soon by smoking cigars like this woman in Havan, Cuba. (Photo by Aykut Unlupinar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
The Scottish team could soon by smoking cigars like this woman in Havan, Cuba. (Photo by Aykut Unlupinar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The origin of the classic idiom, close but no cigar, is shrouded in mystery.

Most believe that it refers to the 19th century practice at American carnivals of giving cigars out as prizes.

If you didn’t win, you were close, but no cigar a rather better saying than its modern-day equivalent, which would presumably be: close, but no over-stuffed teddy bear.

I rather hope though that the phrase refers to Bill Clinton’s famous liaison with Monica Lewinsky, in which a cigar tube was said to have featured rather prominently.

But I’ll leave that there, so to speak.

Whatever the origin of the phrase, it certainly applies to Scotland’s performance last night against Afghanistan.

The Saltires came within an inch of securing their first ever ICC World Cup 2015 win, only to fall at the final hurdle.

After a stuttering start with the bat a flaw which has dogged their campaign Scotland put on an impressive last wicket stand to record their highest ever World Cup score of 210.

And, ball in hand, things looked promising for the Saltires who reduced the Afghans to 97-7.

But, in true British sporting fashion, they let their advantage slip, allowing the conflict-stricken nation to regain a foothold in the match.

An impressive 96 from Samiullah Shenwari led the Afghan recovery, while a four in the final over from last man Shapoor Zadran sealed Scotland’s fate.

They have now gone 11 World Cup matches without a win an unfortunate world record to hold.

But they have also put out their best performance ever in the tournament, proving themselves competent against New Zealand and less than push overs against an embattled England side.

Scotland went close last night and soon they should be enjoying a cigar.