Pakistan beat Scotland by 96 runs

Cricket365

While Scotland's did a good job to restrict Pakistan to a modest total on Friday, the superior-ranked side had no problem securing a 96-run win thanks to a powerful bowling attack and a half ton from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

While Scotland's did a good job to restrict Pakistan to a modest total on Friday, the superior-ranked side had no problem securing a 96-run win thanks to a powerful bowling attack and a half ton from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Pakistan's choice to bat first amounted to nothing more than 231 for seven at the Grange Cricket Club Ground in Edinburgh, but the minnows were always behind the chase and could only reach 135 all out.

A 50-run alliance between openers Nasir Jamshed and Imran Farhat promised more for the visitors, but the middle order – bar Misbah – largely came unstuck against an inspired host attack.

Unable to replicate Sri Lanka's 284 for seven and Australia's 345 all out against similar opposition at the same venue in 2011 and 2009 respectively, Pakistan instead slipped to a total that doesn't bode well for their impending Champions Trophy campaign.

The veteran Misbah, characteristically proved the glue of an oft-fragile order, en route to 78 not out from 83 deliveries, a trio of boundaries and twin sixes included. Aspiring all-rounder Saeed Ajmal, meanwhile, was an able assistant for his brisk 28.

The Scottish bowling ranks featured debutant seamer Neil Carter, but the South African-born left-armer copped the most expense. Spinner Majid Haq, though, exploited the sluggish conditions well for his three for 39.

Despite the modest nature of Pakistan's final tally, the Saltires needed their highest ever score against a full ODI nation – at this ground – to take an unlikely lead in the two-match series.

Scotland's knock was always going to be tough, given the bowlers, and Ajmal, the world's best ODI bowler, showed his prowess, taking three wickets. Junaid Khan did his part for the pacemen, also bagging three.

Kyle Coetzer was the top scorer for the hosts, making 32 off 60 balls, but h was dismissed by Mohammad Hafeez with the score on 67 and his side could not recover. Rob Taylor was the final wicket, LBW to Ajmal, as 10 overs went to waste.

<b>Scotland:</b> Kyle Coetzer, Preston Mommsen, Richie Berrington, Neil Carter, Iain Wardlaw, Josh Davey, Rob Taylor, Majid Haq, Moneeb Iqbal, Matt Machan, David Murphy.

<b>Pakistan:</b> Imran Farhat, Nasir Jamshed, Saeed Ajmal, Asad Shafiq, Ehsan Adil, Umar Amin, Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Misbah-ul-Haq.