Afghanistan reduced Scotland to 98-6 before a century from Neil McCallum brought his side back into the game on the opening day of the Intercontinental Cup final in Dubai. Scotland were eventually bowled out for 212, and they took a wicket before close of the play as Afghanistan finished on 18/1, trailing by 194 runs.
Scotland won the toss and predictably opted to bat first but they were soon in trouble as Shapoor Zardan and Hamid Hassan combined to take out the Scots’ top three batsmen for just 19 runs.
Mirwais Ashraf then entered the fray ripping through the middle order, and when Zardan and Hassan chipped in again Scotland were looking at a double figure first ininngs score.
However, an 107-run partnership between McCallum and wicket-keeper Simon Smith, who patiently accumulated 36 off 115 balls, lifted Scotland to a respectable score of 212. McCallum ended up unbeaten on 104 off 221 balls with 17 fours, while the star for Afghanistan was once again Hamid Hassan as he picked up excellent figures of 5-43.
Afghanistan suffered a blow before the close when Shabir Noori was defeated by an inswinging yorker from Matthew Parker. On a flat batting track, though, this was without doubt Afghanistan’s day.
Afghanistan bowlers bowled well that they could stop Scotland at 212. Now,it’s time for Afghanistan’s Batsmen,they should build a healthy score to win this game.
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