Intercontinental Cup: Scotland and Afghanistan draw after rain delay

Image source, Donald MacLeod

Image caption, Con de Lange impressed with the ball on his international debut for Scotland

Scotland settled for a draw in their opening Intercontinental Cup match against Afghanistan after rain ruined their slim victory hopes in Stirling.

Scotland took 13 points from the match and Afghanistan seven.

Afghanistan resumed on 96 for eight - still trailing their hosts by 137 first-innings runs.

And they managed to add 39 to their score in the 16.4 overs that were possible as they were all out for 135 before the captains shook hands.

Scotland head coach Grant Bradburn told the Cricket Scotland website: "Considering that we only got a short amount of play, to come away with those points today was bhard-earned and could be a hugely valuable six extra points here in Stirling."

The match had been repeatedly interrupted by the inclement weather and it was no different on Friday, with no play possible until 16:20, virtually ruling out the chances of a win for either side.

Samiullah Shenwari, who made a crucial 96 in the Afghans' World Cup victory over the Scots earlier this year, moved past his half-century with his seventh four.

However, soon after Izatullah Dawlatzai drove Richie Berrington straight to extra cover to depart for 18.

Last man Sayed Shirzad was out in the same over, falling lbw for a two-ball duck, leaving Shenwari stranded on 51 not out.