Afzaal leads Notts fightback against Hants

On a rain-shortened first day at Trent Bridge, Notts reached 164-5 against Hampshire.

Just 46 overs play was possible, with Hampshire, looking to secure promotion to the First Division of the CricInfo Championship, making early inroads into the Nottinghamshire top order.

They were frustrated though by Bilal Shafayat, who made 42, and Usman Afzaal, who was 75 not out when bad light and rain prevented any play beyond 2.12pm.

Home skipper Darren Bicknell won the toss and elected to have first use of a green-tinged wicket. Needing 16 runs to reach his 1,000 for the season Bicknell made only four before edging behind.

In a forgettable first hour for the home team, they also Guy Welton - lbw without playing a shot, Greg Blewett, clean-bowled trying to hit to leg and Kevin Pietersen, also snapped up behind the stumps.

England's Usman Afzaal and the 17-year-old protégé Bilal Shafayat halted the slide with a stand by advancing the total to 124-4 at lunch. Alan Mullally and Alex Morris had shared the wickets.

The fifth-wicket stand flourished after the interval as Afzaal passed his half-century (105 mins 85 balls 8x4s). Ninety-seven had been added before Shafayat fell, giving Adrian Aymes his third catch of the innings and adding another scalp to Morris' tally.

There was just sufficient time for Chris Read to get off the mark before the fourth light on the meter prompted the umpires to offer the batsman the chance to return to the pavilion. Shortly afterwards driving rain swept across the ground.