Scotland regain grip after batting collapse

Medium-pacer Khurram Chohan took 6 for 37 to give Canada an upper hand in the Intercontinental Cup opener but Scotland's bowlers wrested back the advantage before the close of play at Aberdeen. Chohan's spell helped dismiss the hosts for 185 in the first innings, although their plight would have been worse if not for captain Gordon Drummond's rearguard half-century. Canada's reply, however, was weak and they had slipped to 108 for 7 by stumps, trailing by 77 runs in the first innings.

Scotland's openers failed against Canada's new-ball attack after the hosts won the toss. Moneeb Iqbal was lbw to Umar Bhatti for 4 and Fraser Watts edged Henry Osinde to the wicketkeeper shortly after to leave Scotland on 44 for 2.

It was then that Chohan began dismantling the Scotland batting line-up. He claimed the entire middle order - comprising Richie Berrington, Neil McCallum, who was caught superbly by Qaiser Ali, Jan Stander and Ewan Chalmers - for single figures and helped reduce them to 102 for 8.

The innings was salvaged by Drummond who added 83 for the ninth wicket with Simon Smith. Drummond hit six fours in his 52 before becoming Chohan's fifth wicket, caught behind cutting, while Smith remained unbeaten on 29 as the innings folded for 185.

Canada seemed to be making a steady start to their first innings but lost both openers with the score on 19: Sandeep Jyoti got a leading edge off Stander to Watts at point, and Geoff Barnett was caught behind off Callum Macleod.

Stander also trapped Trevin Bastiampillai leg before to reduce Canada to 23 for 3 and Drummond chipped in with the ball as well, having Qaiser and Ashif Mulla caught to leave the visitors struggling at 62 for 6. Shaheed Keshvani added 34 with Rizwan Cheema, who was unbeaten on 21 at close, before he was bowled by Majid Haq to become the day's 17th wicket.