Ihsanullah, Rahmat tons prop up Afghanistan

Centuries from Ihsanullah and Rahmat Shah put Afghanistan in a dominant position against the United Arab Emirates on the first day of the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (November 29).

At stumps, Afghanistan was 321 for 3 in 96 overs in the first innings, with Asghar Stanikzai, the captain, unbeaten on 67 and Nasir Jamal batting on 8.

It wasn't the best of starts for Afghanistan with the dismissal of Javed Ahmadi by Mohammed Naveed. Ahmadi lasted 18 balls and struck one boundary in his overall score of 6.

But the visiting team didn't have to worry, with a double-century partnership shared between Ihsanullah and Rahmat helping it recover.

Rahmat was finally dismissed by Naveed in a caught-and-bowled effort for 103. His knock came in 191 balls and included 12 boundaries.

Stanikzai was emboldened by his opener's performance and put on a half-century partnership with Ihsanullah. The opener was finally dismissed by Ahmed Raza for 124 in 242 balls, including 13 boundaries and a single six.

The UAE bowlers toiled as Naveed finished the day with figures of 2 for 52 while Ahmed Raza had figures of 1 for 77.

Afghanistan is currently top of the Intercontinental Cup table, with five wins from six completed matches. UAE came into this round in fourth place.