Hassan gives Afghanistan big lead

Afghanistan464 and 166 for 5 (Ahmadi 55) lead Kenya160 (Waters 73, Hassan 5-70, Shenwari 3-9) by 470 runs
Scorecard

19 wickets fell on the second day in Nairobi, but it was Afghanistan who were looking big favourites to win and take top spot on the Intercontinental Cup table. The star for Afghanistan was Hamid Hassan, as he tore into Kenya to bag another five-wicket haul.

The day had started brightly for the home side with them quickly taking the final four wickets to finally dismiss Afghanistan for 464. Nawroz Mangal top-scored with 168 while Mirwais Ashraf finished unbeaten on 80 not out. Elijiah Otieno ended up with 4-99 to be the pick of the Kenyan bowlers.

Afghanistan soon grabbed the initiative though as Hamid Hassan bowled David Obuya on just the second ball of the innings. Hassan went on to take a further four wickets to force Kenya to surrender meekly, with only Seren Waters (73 off 95 balls) offering any real resistance.

Samiullah Shenwari applied the final touches, taking three wickets, as Kenya were all out for only 160. Despite a lead of 304 runs, Afghanistan – just as they did against Scotland in August – declined to enforce the follow-on.

The batting didn’t go quite to plan as they ended the day 166-5, but they still lead by 470 runs and have every chance of wrapping up the game tomorrow.