West's seven wickets inspires Ireland

Scotland just managed to secure the six points on offer for an innings lead as Qasim Sheikh almost single-handedly dragged his side over the line against Ireland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

The 24-year-old Glaswegian was the only Scotland player to make it past 30 and he was left unbeaten on exactly 100 as Ireland left-arm slow bowler Regan West took a magnificent seven wickets at the other end.

With Kyle McCallan chipping in with two scalps of his own, it was definitely a day for the slow bowlers but Qasim's priceless innings made sure Scotland reached 208 all out, a lead of just six runs.

In a thrilling conclusion to the first innings, Ireland pushed for the final wickets as the Scots looked to pass its total of 202 and bag the six points on offer. And at 196-7, that job seemed like a foregone conclusion but a quick wicket each for West and McCallan stunned Scotland to 199-9 and made for some tense moments in the Scotland camp.

But Sheikh did the business and then just had enough time to raise his bat for a fine century before number 11 Alasdair Evans was out, caught and bowled by West to complete the innings.

Ireland's second innings began well, but lost three wickets before the close, and it will be relying upon skipper William Porterfield (52 not out) to help build its lead which was 96 by the close of play.