Strong batting performances on day one from Scotland and Canada put both sides in control of their ICC Intercontinental Cup semi-final matches against Kenya and the United Arab Emirates respectively.
Kenya v Scotland
A superb 146 by Fraser Watts put Scotland in a strong position at the end of the first day at Abu Dhabi. At the close, Kenya were 23 for 1 in reply to Scotland's 300 for 5 declared.
Scotland won the toss and elected to bat with Watts and Douglas Lockhart (44) giving them a solid start, reaching 93 for 0 at lunch. Watts looked uncertain at the start, surviving two confident shouts for leg-before as well as a leg-side stumping by Abeed Janmohamed off the impressive Kalpesh Patel which was extremely close.
Although Lockhart fell straight after the resumption, Scotland pressed ahead, with Cedric English (22) and Gavin Hamilton (13) supporting Watts as he approached his hundred. The key stand came as Ryan Watson (57) helped Watts add 118 for the fourth wicket, quashing Kenya's hopes of containing Scotland to a modest score. Both batsmen perished in the quest for quick runs in a bid give their bowlers a few overs at Kenya before the close.
The tactic worked, as Malhar Patel was bowled by Asim Butt shortly before stumps. In an inexperienced Kenyan side, much will depend on Ravindu Shah who was still there with 11 not out at the close.
Kenya 23 for 1 trail Scotland 300 for 5 dec (Watts 146, Watson 57) by 277 runs
Points: Scotland - 6 batting, 0.5 bowling; Kenya - 2.5 bowling
Canada v UAE
A commanding century from Zubin Sukhari put Canada in control of its ICC Intercontinental Cup semi-final against the United Arab Emirates.
Canada won the toss and elected to bat with openers Zubin Sukhari and Ashif Mulla got Canada getting off to a good start until Ali Asad got through the defences of Mulla (11).
This brought Don Maxwell to the wicket and together with Sukhari they punished some inconsistent bowling from the UAE team. Aggressive from the start, Maxwell was severe on the bowling of Zahid Shah and Muhammad Tauqir in particular so that by lunch they had built a 112-run partnership to take the total to 157-1 with Sukhari on 68 and Maxwell on 65.
After lunch Canada continued to dominate, Maxwell was quick to pick up on anything short before eventually falling to Asad Ali for 88 (116 balls, including 8 fours and four sixes) which brought captain Ian Billcliff to the wicket.
The aggressive tone and good run rate continued, with Sukhari moving to an excellent 100 and Billcliff eventually falling to leg spinner Arshad Ali for 44. At tea Canada were 289-3.
Canada progressed to 300 runs (the score at which maximum batting points are awarded) with only three wickets down, but lost three quick wickets including that of Sukahari for an accomplished 139 of 218 balls (18 fours) before declaring on 337-6 after 81 overs.
In reply, the UAE got off to a slow start and reached 74-2 at stumps losing first Naeemuddin Aslam (19) and then Kashif Khan to a loose shot in the penultimate over.
United Arab Emirates 70 for 2 trail Canada 337 for 6 dec (Surkari 139, Maxwell 88, Ali Asad 4-59) by 267 runs
Points: Canada - 6 batting , 1 bowling; UAE - 1 batting, 3 bowling
