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Intercontinental Cup semi-finals, Sharjah, 1st day

Scotland and Canada take control

Wisden Cricinfo staff

November 17, 2004

Kenya 23 for 1 trail Scotland 300 for 5 dec (Watts 146, Watson 57) by 277 runs
Scorecard

UAE's Khuram Khan bowling to Zubin Surkari, Canada's centurymaker © Emirates

A superb 146 by Fraser Watts put Scotland in a strong position at the end of the first day at Abu Dhabi. At the close, Kenya were 23 for 1 in reply to Scotland's 300 for 5 declared.

On a pitch expected to deteriorate as the match progressed, the toss was always crucial, and Scotland had no qualms about batting first on a low and low pitch after winning it. Watts and Douglas Lockhart (44) gave them a solid start, reaching 93 for 0 at lunch. Watts looked uncertain at the start, surviving two confident shouts for leg-before as well as a leg-side stumping by Abeed Janmohamed off the impressive Kalpesh Patel which looked extremely close.

Although Lockhart fell straight after the resumption, Scotland pressed ahead, with Cedric English (22) and Gavin Hamilton (13) supporting Watts as he approached his hundred. The key stand came as Ryan Watson (57) helped Watts add 118 for the fourth wicket, quashing Kenya's hopes of containing Scotland to a modest score. Both batsmen perished in the quest for quick runs in a bid give their bowlers a few overs at Kenya before the close.

The tactic worked, as Malhar Patel was bowled by Asim Butt shortly before stumps. In an inexperienced Kenyan side, much will depend on Ravindu Shah, their one real class act, who was still there with 11 not out at the close.

United Arab Emirates 70 for 2 trail Canada 337 for 6 dec (Surkari 139, Maxwell 88, Ali Asad 4-59) by 267 runs
Scorecard

Zubin Sukhari's 139 put Canada in the driving seat at the end of the first day's play at Sharjah. At the close, the United Arab Emirates were 70 for 2 in reply to Canada's 337 for 6 declared.

Canada won the toss and chose to bat on a what looked to be an excellent well-grassed pitch. Sukhari and Ashif Mulla got them off to a good start before Ali Asad pierced the defences of Mulla (11). Sukhari and Don Maxwell then punished some ill-disciplined bowling: Maxwell was especially severe on Zahid Shah and Muhammad Tauqir. At lunch, they had put on 112 to take the total to 157 for 1, with Sukhari on 68 and Maxwell on 65.

Canada continued to dominate after the break, with Maxwell especially ruthless on anything short before becoming Asad's second wicket for 88. Ian Billcliff, Canada's stand-in captain after John Davison was forced to miss the match, maintained the run rate, while Sukhari completed an excellent hundred.

Billcliff departed for 44, but the momentum of the innings continued unchecked, despite the loss of three wickets in quick succession as the declaration approached. Sukhari was the last man out, for an excellent 139.

The UAE got off to a slow start, losing Naeemuddin Aslam for 19, and then Kashif Khan to a loose shot in the penultimate over.