Day 2: Afghanistan435 (Shenwari 102, Stanikzai 93, Sadiq 67, Shahzad 54) and 0 for 0 lead Scotland139 (Hassan 6-40) by 296 runs
Six wickets by fast bowler Hamid Hassan has left Afghanistan firmly on top against Scotland in Ayr. Hassan bowled a a mammoth 15 over spell which spread over two sessions, as Scotland collapsed to 76-9, eventually finishing on 130 all out, which is 296 runs behind Afghanistan’s first innings score. Afghanistan decided not to enforce the follow-on, and played out one over for the loss of no wickets.
The day started with the focus on how much Afghanistan could make and whether Asghar Stanikzai could make a century, something which was lacking from the first day performance. However, after adding a further 5 runs in the morning, Asghar departed, caught off the bowling of Richie Berrington for 93. In fact it was Samiullah Shenwari who made that elusive hundred. Shenwari hit 12 fours in his 100, and played a crucial innings as it turned out as wickets tumbled at the other end. There were thoughts about 500 at one stage but 435 was what they had to settle for. Disappointing that the tail didn’t wag, though still a very commanding score in Scottish conditions.
Afghanistan bowled tidily early on, but it wasn’t until speedster Hamid Hassan came on that things started to happen. His very first ball produced an edge which was dropped. A few balls later he trapped Watts on the crease – this time it was a no-ball which prevented the wicket. There was no doubt one ball later, though, as Watts slashed to second slip to give Afghanistan their breakthrough.
The second wicket came via a direct hit from the boundary by an Afghan fielder. A rare bit of brilliance in the field from Afghanistan.
Next, Hassan got the important wicket of Richie Berrington, Scotland’s in-form batsman, gloved down the leg-side.
After tea was when this match took its decisive turn. 6 wickets fell for just 9 runs in an extraordinary collapse. As always, Hassan was at the forefront of it all, finding movement and bowling at a fine pace. The eye-catching wicket was that of Ewan Chalmers, as the off stump was completely flattened by a Hassan thunderbolt. Nabi also chipped in, bowling Moneeb Iqbal through the gate his highlight.
When Samiullah Shenwari had Scotland captain Gordon Drummond caught on the boundary, the score was 74-9. To Scotland’s credit, they did hang in and at least got over double figures, as a last wicket partnership between Simon Smith and Dewald Nel frustrated Afghanistan. The stand put on 63 runs to add some respectability to Scotland’s score. Mohammad Nabi with the final wicket to finish with 2-23.
This still left one over to be played in the day. Most people expected Afghanistan to enforce the follow-on, but, surprisingly, Nawroz Mangal decided to bat again. Thanks to the utterly dominant position they are in, it is unlikely to effect the end result – remember, still two days to go – but the decision will have pleased Scotland’s beleaguered batsmen. If Scotland had been batting now, they would be in a hopeless situation. But by the time Afghanistan presumably declare, Scotland will know how long they have to bat for a draw. As well, this isn’t being played in Dubai, it’s in Ayr, where it could rain at any point.
Nevertheless, the choice has been made. Afghanistan will look to add around 180, declare sometime in the second session, and then give the ball to superstar bowler Hamid Hamid.
