Bad light frustrates Scotland, Hong Kong

There was a threat of a washout in the first One-Day International at the Grange on Thursday (September 8) and although the weather cleared to allow a 20-overs-a-side match between Scotland and Hong Kong to proceed, gloom descended, literally and figuratively. Chasing 154, Hong Kong was 136 for 4 at the end of the 18th over when the umpires deemed it too dark to play and the match was abandoned as a no-result.

Hong Kong won the toss and, after opting to field in what started as a 21-overs-a-side contest, would have been pleased that it was able to keep Scotland down to 153 for 6, especially given the home side's rapid start to the innings. But what would have pleased Hong Kong further was that its batsmen, too, began strongly.

Nizakhat Khan (43 off 26 balls) and Aizaz Khan (12) forged a 59-run opening stand in seven overs and Nizakhat, in particular, looked in excellent touch as he struck six fours and two sixes. But Con de Lange struck off successive balls, bowling both the openers to reduce Hong Kong to 64 for 2.

There was no hat-trick though as Anshuman Rath defended stoutly and proceeded to steady the innings alongside Babar Hayat. Having witnessed Scotland's mini-collapse from a similar position, the two were more circumspect, but while they kept wickets in hand, the run-rate began to creep upwards as they approached the last six overs.

Something had to give, and Mark Watt, making his ODI debut, provided that spark of brilliance for Scotland. He first went past the defences of Hayat (26) and then had Rath run out for 32. But the thrills ended one over later due to bad light to bring an anti-climactic end to a match that seemed headed for a exciting finish.

The possibility of a game, even a curtailed version, taking place seemed highly doubtful in the morning. The skies opened up shortly before the scheduled time of toss at 10.45 am local time and only cleared up at 2.15 pm. With the cut-off time being 4.30 pm, credit must go to the ground staff who worked diligently and ensured the game did begin at 4.15 pm.

Scotland's top three -- Kyle Coetzer, Craig Wallace and Calum MacLeod -- were in a belligerent mood and the runs came at a breakneck pace. The opening stand was worth 38, but achieved in just 3.1 overs. Ehsan Khan, the debutant, provided the breakthrough, trapping Wallace lbw for 14 to take his maiden wicket, but there was little relief for Hong Kong as MacLeod strode in.

Coetzer and MacLeod put together a 58-run partnership at over 10 an over and it was looking dire for the visiting side, but Aizaz Khan had the latter stumped for a 17-ball 28. Two balls later, Coetzer followed MacLeod back to dressing room after a 30-ball 53, becoming Ehsan's second lbw victim.

Revitalised, the bowlers tore through the middle order as Scotland slipped to 102 for 5. The lower order, however, ensured the advantage wasn't surrendered entirely as contributions from Preston Mommsen (12), de Lange (26 not out) and Safyaan Sharif (12 not out) guided the side past 150.

The second and final ODI between the two sides is on Saturday at the same venue and no rain is expected then.

Please clickhereto review the match in full in theICC Match Centre