Published: Jan 08, 2015, 10:57 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 31, 2016, 11:45 AM (IST)
Jan 08, 2015
(Will Afghanistan live up to the expectations of people or will Scotland rectify their poor record
against Afghanistan? Stay tuned to find out)
After a delayed start to the match between Afghanistan and Scotland due to heavy fog at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, Afghanistan have come steaming in. Their pacers have caused all sorts of troubles to the Scottish batsmen and Calum MacLeod went for a two-ball duck, credits to Dawlat Zadran. Kyle Coetzer, has looked a lot more assured at the crease and has scored to boundaries as he’s gradually easing in. The Afghanistan attack is without its star bowler, Sahpoor Zadran owing to injury.
Scotland will hope that Coetzer stays long as he is arguably their most reliable batsman. If Afghanistan manage to get him early, the Scots will be in deep trouble and chances of victory will be further dampened.
Michael Leask goes out after playing a handy knock of 19 runs. Just 11 balls remaining in the innings. Afghanistan won’t want to concede to many.
Michael Leask 19(20) c Gulbadin Naib b Dawlat Zadran
Leask doing the hitting and Josh Davey is joining the party too. Scotland looking good for about 240.
It is advantage Afghanistan at this point. And with the wicket of Matthew Cross they are well on top. A few lusty blows from the batsmen will ease the pressure. Just the last 5 overs left now.
Michael Cross 28(30) lbw Hamid Hassan
Kyle Coetzer and Hamish Gardiner laid the foundation for a big partnership. Both looked solid except on the rare occasion. But Afghanistan strike back with the big wicket of Coetzer, thanks to Mirwais Ashraf.
Kyle Coetzer 22(35) c Afsar Zazai b Mirwais Ashraf
The Scots are upping the ante after a very poor start. This is where Afghanistan will most miss Shapoor Zadran. Kyle Coetzer is scoring runs with ease and has already sent a few balls to the boundaries. Hamish Gardiner is getting in the act as well
After a delayed start at ICC Academy in Dubai, Afghanistan have come in storming and have already picked the wicket of Calum MacLeod, credits Dawlat Zadran
Calum MacLeod 0(2) c Afsar Zazai b Dawlat Zadran
Hi, I’m Rishad D’Souza and I will be taking you through live updates of the Afghanistan-Scotland ODI. Afghanistan will face Scotland at the ICC academy ground, Dubai in the first One-Day International (ODI) of the triangular series also featuring Ireland. The series was scheduled with aim to give the minnows vital match practice in build up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Afghanistan will go into the match as favourites despite their recent poor showing against United Arabian Emirates, losing a four-match ODI series against them 3-1.
Afghanistan and Scotland have met each other for seven ODIs in the past. Afghanistan won five of those, leaving Scotland victorious in just two. Scotland will look to rectify that record. Afghanistan also has a point to prove after the dismal performance in the series against UAE.
Afghani skipper, Mohammad Nabi with his all-round abilities will hold key to Afghanistan’s chances. Opener Nawroz Mangal has been in goo form with the bat and will have to step up and perform. In the bowling department Shapoor Zadran will take charge. Scotland on the other hand, will be rest a lot of their batting hopes on opener, Kyle Coetzer. Coetzer averages an impressive 45.20 in the 16 matches he has played.
Preston Mommsen, the Scottish skipper also adds a lot of value to the team as he is capable of scoring runs and is a handy bowler as well. Scotland will want to quickly shed the underdogs tag and prove their worth.
