Rahmat Shah century helps Afghanistan to narrow win on DLS

The first ODI on Wednesday was a washout and while 94.5 overs were played here, the weather intervened once more to decide the fate of the match.

After a Calum MacLeod century helped Scotland set Afghanistan a target of 326, a ton from Rahmat Shah set the foundation of Afghanistan’s innings. Nevertheless, upon his dismissal Afghanistan still had a tough task in hand, and before rain intervened, 57 runs were required from 31 balls. Ultimately, the rain stayed to hand Afghanistan a win on DLS.

Kyle Coetzer (79) and Matthew Cross (32) got Scotland off to a patient start, putting on 76 for the opening wicket, but it was MacLeod who proved to be the headline act.

His eighth ODI hundred saw him deposit Afghanistan’s bowling attack for 10 fours and one six, and he was ably supported by hard-hitting cameos from Richie Berrington and George Munsey, the former hitting 33 from 20 balls, the latter contributing a rapid 13-ball 28.

Craig Wallace hit three fours in his 14-ball knock of 20 to help Scotland past the 300-mark, and a useful six-ball 13 from Safyaan Sharif saw Scotland to an imposing total of 325/7 after 50 overs.

Gulbadin Naib, Afghanistan’s new ODI captain, returned figures of 3/72, while Hamid Hassan, playing his first ODI in nearly three years, took 2/55.

In the reply, Mohammad Shahzad reached his 14th ODI half-century, but like Scotland, it was the side’s No.3 who went onto reach three figures.

Rahmat – who impressed with scores of 98 and 76 in Afghanistan’s Test against Ireland in March – was able to take off his helmet this time around, reaching his century from 106 balls. Nevertheless, his departure for 113 with just over 10 overs to go was a key breakthrough for Scotland, with 96 runs still required from 61 balls.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, who provided solid support to Rahmat, advanced to a half-century after his partner’s dismissal, and with former skipper, Asghar Afghan, took the visitors to 269/3 before heavy rain halted and subsequently ended proceedings.