Scotland fight back on second day

Scotland 179 for 3 (Hamilton 60*, McCallum 39*) trail UAE 348 (Ali 131, Khan 77) by 169 runs
Scorecard

Scotland fought right back into their match against UAE on the second day, taking seven wickets for 79 runs to close out the UAE innings on 348. A minor wobble followed as they lost two wickets on 57, but they recovered to post a healthy 179 for 3 by stumps. They still trail by 169 runs in the first innings, though, and there's a long way to go in this match.

UAE started the day in a strong position with Saqib Ali on 114 not out and Khurram Khan well set on 70. But they weren't to last long; Khan adding seven, Ali 17, before Paul Hoffman undid them both with his pace, both edging through. After these key incisions to their heart, UAE crumbled. Dougie Brown struck twice to open his account and John Blain took his wicket tally to four.

Fraser Watts (38) and Douglas Lockhart (12) gave Scotland a solid platform, putting on 57, but they - and Ryan Watson (21) - squandered starts (118 for 3). It was left to Gavin Hamilton and Neil McCallum to lift them with a fourth-wicket stand which is so far worth 61. By the close Hamilton had reached 60 and McCallum 39.

Scotland know a good win would be enough to see them through to March's final, and their hopes were boosted by the fact that UAE were routed a month ago by Namibia.