By Keith Graham at Broughty Ferry
First day of three: Bangladesh 339-9 v Scotland
A SUPERB century from their captain Akram Khan enabled Bangladesh to recover from a shaky start on the first day of their three-day international against Scotland at Broughty Ferry yesterday.
Scotland, fielding a make-shift side due to today's NatWest second round tie against Derbyshire, made an early breakthrough when having lost the toss, they found themselves in the field. But Aberdeenshire's David Cox, making his international debut, had opener Mohammed Rafique caught behind by fellow debutant Ewan Stubbs with the third ball of his first over.
The Scots contrived to miss two further chances, a relatively easy catch at slip followed by a more difficult caught and bowled to Scott Gourlay but the Freuchie medium pacer soon had his revenge when Greg Butchart clung on to a fine catch in the gully to end Azam Iqbal's innings.
There was further success when Butchart himself got a delivery to hold its own to find the edge of Faroque Ahmed's bat, Stubbs taking his second catch behind with the score on 62.
But on a wicket which soon lost its early hint of moisture, Aminul Islam and Akram dug in to thwart an enthusiastic Scottish attack. As the wicket eased, so both batsmen began to find their timing with Islam in particular, piercing the offside field with flowing cover drives.
And with the tall Akram also finding his timing, the Scottish captain Iain Philip was forced into frequent switches of bowling although off-spinner Ross Mitchinson had to wait until after lunch before getting his first bowl.
Together, they added 127 for the fourth wicket before Islam was caught behind off left-arm spinner Andy Tennant for a splendid 80 during which the little right-hander faced 141 balls and struck seven boundaries.
Throughout, the Scots had fielded with enthusiasm, if sometimes rather erratically, to keep the run rate down to three an over until the later stages, when, with the cushion of 300 on the board, Bangladesh accelerated on what had become a benign wicket. Commendably, Scotland also maintained an excellent over rate - 103 overs being completed in the day.
Akram, hitting straight with increasing power, turned Cox to the square leg boundary to reach a fine century before giving Stubbs his third catch off the same bowler. The Bangladesh captain had received 185 balls and struck 14 boundaries in his splendid 105.
The later batsmen enjoyed a final flourish as the Scots surprisingly maintained an attacking field for which they were rewarded in the last half-hour when three wickets fell to Drew Parsons for Bangladesh to close on 339 for 9.
Bangladesh 339-9 (A Khan 105, A Islam 80, Parsons 3-30, Cox 2-48, Gourlay 2-78).
Day 2: Watts worthy of one-day place
By Keith Graham at Broughty Ferry
2nd day of three: Bangladesh (343-9d & 8-0) lead Scotland (252-7d) by 99 runs
WITH Scotland's top players engaged in a fruitless NatWest game against Derbyshire, this match has provided a worthwhile test for some of the younger players who acquitted themselves so well in the Junior World Cup in South Africa.
And Carlton's batsman Fraser Watts seized the opportunity to put together an innings of real quality after Iain Philip had departed with only 13 on the board. Watts, 19, and Rennie Keith dug in to produce an excellent stand of 101 although Keith, when on 19, was fortunate to survive when a ball clipped his off-stump without dislodging the heavier bails which were being used because of the gusting winds.
That apart, neither batsman was really troubled by Bangladesh's mixture of medium-paced swing and their assembly of spinners.
Keith finally departed at 114 at which point Watts came out of his shell to play some glorious drives through the offside and also punish anything short on a benign wicket. One pull for six soared over the scorebox until, when he had reached 85, he ventured one shot too many to be caught by Aminul Islam off the bowling of Enamul Hoque.
His innings lasted 207 balls and included that one six and seven boundaries. He must now be challenging for a place in the team to face Bangladesh in two one-day games at the weekend, particularly in view of the senior side's batting failure against Derbyshire.
Drew Parsons ill at ease initially, was just beginning to find his touch when he was caught behind for 29 as Scotland sought to lift the scoring rate. Ayaz Gul contributed 25 and the declaration came at 252 for seven with Scott Gourlay undefeated on 30.
By the close, Bangladesh had reached eight without loss in their second innings and, with the wicket showing little or no sign of wear, the only hope of result would seem to lie in a generous declaration today.
Tour Match (Broughty Ferry): Bangladesh 343-9d & 8-0; Scotland 252-7d (F Watts 85, R Keith 53, Hoque 3-61).
Day 3: Parsons earns call-up
By Keith Graham at Broughty Ferry
3rd day of three: Bangladesh (343-9d & 183-4d) drew with Scotland (262-7d & 161-2)
SET to make 265 in just 47 overs, Scotland gave up the chase with eight overs remaining when they were still 104 runs adrift.
Neither side had averaged much better than three an over and an asking rate of more than six asked too much of a relatively inexperienced Scottish side. Nevertheless, there were several plus points for the Scottish selectors in their second innings.
Drew Parsons, who has been called up for the two one-day games against Bangladesh in Edinburgh, warmed up with an unbeaten 43 which included two enormous sixes, old stager Iain Philip reached yet another half century and there was further evidence of Fraser Watts' emerging talent as he stroked an immaculate 43 before he top-edged swinging to leg.
When Bangladesh resumed their second innings, Akram Khan added an unbeaten half-century to his first innings century though he was almost denied by Scott Gourlay's outstanding fielding.
Akram clubbed Parsons to the long-off boundary where Scott Gourlay held a magnificent one-handed catch only to career over the rope as he vainly attempted to throw the ball to fellow fielder David Cox at long-on.
Yorkshire have released Gavin Hamilton to make his first appearance for Scotland in four years against Bangladesh in the two concluding one-day games for the Cairn Trophy this weekend.
His new ball pairing with James Brinkley, fit again after injury, could be a key factor for the Scots who are one up in the three match series.
Mike Smith, Greig Williamson and Pete Steindl have been dropped from the team humbled by Derbyshire in the NatWest Trophy on Wednesday.
TOUR MATCH (Broughty Ferry): Bangladesh 343-9d (Akram Khan 105, Aminul Islam 80) & 183-4d (Akram Khan 54no); Scotland 262-7d (Watts 85, Keith 53) & 161-2 (Philip 52no).
SCOTLAND (v Bangladesh; Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, tomorrow & Sunday): G Salmond capt, B Patterson, S Crawley, D Lockhart, D Parsons, I Stanger, C Wright, G Hamilton, J Brinkley, G Maiden, K Sheridan, A Butt.