Scotland ahead as ball dominates

Scotland 121 for 5 lead UAE 100 (Goudie 3-22, Sharif 3-27) by 21 runs
Scorecard

On another ball-dominated day of Intercontinental Cup action, Scotland edged ahead of UAE in Sharjah by reaching 121 for 5 after having dismissed the hosts for 100. Majid Haq's 28 was the highest score of the day after Scotland's bowlers had shared their success.

The Intercontinental Cup has resumed in 2012 with a series of low totals following the previous match between Kenya and Ireland in Mombasa that ended inside two days. This is a crucial game for both UAE and Scotland, who lie second and fourth respectively on the table, as they aim to close the gap on Ireland at the top.

UAE were quickly regretting their decision to bat first as the top four fell in the opening 10 overs with Safyaan Sharif claiming three scalps, which marked his first wickets at this level. UAE captain Khurram Khan was one of two batsmen to reach the 20s before falling to Richie Berrington and the lower order was wrapped up by a combination of Haq's offspin and Gordon Goudie.

Scotland, however, had problems of their own as the openers were removed with 30 on the board. Then came the best partnership of the day while Preston Mommsen and Haq added 52 for the third wicket only to fall in the space of three balls to leave Scotland 82 for 4.

They were within touching distance of reaching the close without further loss but Freddie Colman, a 20-year-old Edinburgh-born batsman making his first-class debut, was lbw to Amjad Javed three balls before stumps to give UAE further hope of restricting Scotland's advantage to manageable proportions.