Scotland v Pakistan, Edinburgh

Yousuf guides nervous Pakistan to win

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan

June 27, 2006

Pakistan 205 for 5 (Yousuf 83*, Razzaq 49*, Hoffmann 3-22) beat Scotland 203 for 8 (Watson 80, McCallum 68, Malik 3-35) by five wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Ryan Watson hit a fine 80 off 85 to carry the Scotland innings © Getty Images

The packed Grange ground was treated to a decent day's cricket, starting with impressive bowling from Pakistan, followed by the Watson-McCallum alliance, a fine spell from Paul Hoffmann and the elegance of Yousuf and Razzaq. However, at the end the international skill and calmness of Pakistan proved too much for Scotland.

But at one stage a major upset was on the cards. Hoffman caused the early alarms for Pakistan through an outstanding spell of medium-pace with the new ball. He had Salman Butt caught at slip, Shoaib Malik clubbed to mid-on and also removed Younis Khan. The top order didn't find their timing - they only arrived in the country on Sunday - and the situation was particularly dicey when Inzamam-ul-Haq was caught behind off Dewald Nel.

The 3000-strong crowd had flocked in to watch many of the Pakistan stars, but none more so that Shahid Afridi. The cheers that greeted him as he walked in continued with every shot although he never really hit his straps. Attempting to up the tempo he was held on the long-off boundary off Ross Lyons - the young offspinner - and Scotland started to believe.

However, Yousuf is a master of such situations and milked the bowling in partnership with Razzaq. As the target got closer both batsmen began to open their shoulders and Razzaq completed the chase with a rash of blistering boundaries across, and over, the ropes to stamp Pakistan's authority. Scotland, though, more than held their own.

Spurning the chance to enjoy some early-tour batting practice, Inzamam asked Scotland to bat first and was immediately rewarded when Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif reduced them to 20 for 4, also with the aid of Gavin Hamilton's run out.

However, Watson has been in fine form of late in club and C&G Trophy cricket and took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers. After weathering the storm from Asif and Gul he tore into a wayward first over from Razzaq - which cost 16 - and launched Scotland on their way then launched Danish Kaneria over deep midwicket for six. Watson's fifty came off 49 balls as Pakistan were given more of a run-around than they would have expected.

He received outstanding support from McCallum, who was happy to play second fiddle, but also kept the scoreboard ticking. His half-century took 100 balls as the pair added Scotland's highest stand against a full international side. Watson chipped a catch back to Afridi and when a useful stand of 55 between McCallum and Douglas Lockhart was ended the innings withered away. Malik helped himself to three wickets at the death and kept the total down after 230 was a possibility.

Scotland gave Pakistan a real test with the type of performance that the beleaguered England side would gladly take. It wasn't enough, but everyone took plenty from the match; Pakistan have started with a win and Scotland have shown they are no pushovers as they build towards the World Cup.

Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo

© Cricinfo

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Matches

Scotland v Pakistan at Edinburgh

Players/Umpires

Abdul Razzaq

Paul Hoffmann

Neil McCallum

Mohammad Yousuf

Ryan Watson

Series/Tournaments

Pakistan tour of England and Scotland

Teams

Pakistan

Scotland