Scotland 212 and 64 for 6 lead Afghanistan 171 (Mangal 56, Haq 3-49, Parker 3-56) by 105 runs
Scorecard
Scotland took a surprise first innings lead of 41, but Afghanistan’s bowlers fought back to leave Scotland 64-6 at close of play of the 2nd day of the Intercontinental Cup final in Dubai. Scotland lead by 105 runs with 4 wickets in hand with the game poised to go either way.
Starting the day on 18-1, Afghanistan started aggressively but the Scots regularly chipped away, taking three wickets in the morning session. In the afternoon session Nowroz Mangal and Asghar Stanikzai looked in control but a stunning collapse saw the Afghans lose their final six wickets for just 39 runs. Spinner Majid Haq was the pick of the bowlers with 3-49, while Mangal top-scored with an innings of 56 which contained 9 fours.
Once again, though, Afghanistan’s bowlers tore through Scotland’s top-order. Samiullah Shenwari, in a brilliant spell of leg-spin bowling, took 3-15 in just 14 overs, and Hamid Hassan took two wickets, including the centurion from the first innings Neil McCallum for a duck and on the final ball of the day he dismissed Matthew Parker also for a duck.
With Scotland 64-6 and only leading by 105, Afghanistan were happy with the day’s proceedings.
“It was a good day for us as the captain and coach put me in to bowl and get the match back for us which I think I helped to do,” said Shenwari. “I just think the spin worked for me today, I had to work a little but I managed to pitch it just right and the ball turned for the wicket. I hope that tomorrow I can take two more and make it five.”
After two days of exciting cricket and fluctuating fortunes the IntercontinentalCup final is expected to finish tomorrow. With the game so evenly balanced a lot will depend on whether the Afghan batsmen can back up their bowlers’ good work andchase down what ever Scotland set them.
I understand you quite well. None so deaf as those that won’t hear