Nabi hundred leads strong reply

UAE's tail came good to carry their side to 462 on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup fixture against Afghanistan in Sharjah, before solid contributions from Javed Ahmadi and Mohammad Nabi made sure the match was in the balance at stumps.

Afghanistan resumed on 361 for 8, but a 105-run stand for the ninth wicket between Amjad Javed and Ahmed Raza ensured they pushed on past 450, before offspinner Nabi finally got rid of the pair. UAE dismissed Afghanistan opener Karim Sadiq early and then got captain Nawroz Mangal for a second-ball duck courtesy Fayyaz Ahmed's left-arm spin, but thereafter the breakthroughs were tough to come by.

Ahmadi and Nabi added 127 for the third-wicket, before Fayyaz struck again getting Ahmadi for 80 - a knock that included 13 boundaries and a six. Nabi though kicked on and got to his century, and remained unbeaten on 108 at stumps. He was provided stout support by wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad, who was 37 not out at the end of the day's play.