ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

SCOTLAND v AFGHANISTAN In cold damp weather, Scotland took the option of fielding first, hoping to exploit Afghanistan’s unfamiliarity with the conditions. However, Scotland’s bowlers disappointed, unable to find a consistent line and length, and Afghanistan seemed totally unaware that they were supposed to find the conditions challenging. Noor Ali and Karim Sadiq began with a stand of 67 at a strike rate of 76.1, which ended only when Noor Ali attempted to go for a fourth run, after first delaying the decision to do so. Mohammad Shahzad proved equally confident as the score mounted to 111 for one at lunch. In mid afternoon, Matthew Parker made the breakthrough, dismissing both batsmen in quick succession, Mohammad Shahzad falling to an excellent diving catch by Simon Smith. Asghar Stanikzai hit Majid Haq for sixes in successive overs whilst Nawroz Mangal displayed more circumspection, hitting only fours off Dewald Nel. After the tea break, Afghanistan lost Nawroz Mangal and Mohammad Nabi, but Scotland’s hopes of bringing the innings to a quick conclusion were thwarted when Samiullah Shenwari joined Asghar Stanikzai in a partnership which was worth 95 by the close of play. Asghar Stanikzai benefited from a dropped catch and a missed stumping by Smith off the bowling of Haq, unusual errors from a normally highly competent wicketkeeper. Although Asghar Stanikzai departed quickly on the second morning, a mistimed pull straight into the hands of Richie Berrington at long leg, Samiullah Shenwari showed hitherto unknown batting maturity as he farmed the bowling, protecting the tail, and went on to a well-deserved century. By the time he fell to Dewald Nel, he had made 102 at a strike rate of 52.5 and Afghanistan had reached 435. Afghanistan then showed that their bowlers, unlike their opponents’, could exploit the conditions. The early reprieve of Fraser Watts, dropped at first slip off Hamid Hassan, was not costly, as the latter bowled superbly, troubling all the batsmen with a consistent line on or around the off stump and movement in the air and off the pitch. Four of his six victims were edges to the wicketkeeper. Scotland lost seven of their middle and lower order wickets for just 19 runs, made laboriously in 17 overs. With Hamid Hassan rested after a spell of 14 overs, Smith and Nel took advantage with a last-wicket partnership of 63 but Scotland finished 296 runs behind on the first innings. Afghanistan did not enforce the follow-on and survived the one over remaining before the close. Noor Ali and Karim Sadiq batted with surprising patience in a stand of 64 for the first wicket, made at a strike rate of 58.7. Once the partnership was broken, the morning and afternoon belonged to Mohammad Shahzad who worked his way relentlessly to a century. He received good support from all his partners but, as the day wore on, it became a question of when Nawroz Mangal would declare. He seemed in no hurry to do so and waited until Shahzad had reached his hundred, which he did with a huge six. He made his 105 runs at the impressive strike rate of 83.3. The declaration left Scotland to score 546 runs to win or just over four sessions to survive for a draw. Scotland’s openers lasted one hour and nine minutes against the Afghan opening bowlers but when Hamid Hassan came on first change, he knocked over Watts’ off stump. Mohammad Nabi gave a text-book display of off spin at the other end with seven consecutive maiden overs and the wicket of Ryan Flannigan. Scotland initially made Afghanistan fight for their wickets on the last day but the task required was simply too great. Ewan Chalmers and Berrington began well, extending their stand to 45, but Berrington chose to play back to the slow left arm of Abdullah Mazari, missed and was struck on the pads in front of middle stump. Qasim Sheikh was hit on the toe from a straight, near full toss by Hamid Hassan in the next over and Chalmers offered a catch off his gloves to Samiullah Shenwari at short leg, to give Abdullah Mazari his second wicket in a spell of ten overs with five maidens. Moneeq Iqbal, Haq, Smith and Parker all made runs to help Scotland to a respectable total but none could stay long enough. Hamid Hassan took five wickets to give him a match return of 11 for 154, a remarkable achievement considering he was advised by a doctor not to bowl because of an ankle injury. Five of Scotland’s batsmen were out leg-before, all straightforward decisions to full-pitched deliveries. Both teams were unbeaten in the 2009-10 competition before the match. Afghanistan won with surprising ease, considering Scotland had the advantage of home conditions. 208 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10