Hassan puts Afghanistan in total control

Afghanistan 464 and 166 for 5 (Ahmadi 55) lead Kenya 160 (Waters 73, Hassan 5-70, Shenwari 3-9) by 470 runs
Scorecard

Afghanistan are primed to top the table in the Intercontinental Cup after quick bowler Hamid Hassan ripped through Kenya to give his side a 304-run first-innings lead. On a day when 19 wickets went down, Afghanistan opener Javed Ahmadi's brisk half-century left Kenya 470 runs adrift and still requiring five wickets.

The day started on a good note for Kenya as they quickly removed the final four Afghanistan wickets for 24 runs. Legspinner Elijah Otieno was responsible for all four dismissals - first running out Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal for 168, before spinning out the tail.

The rest of the day belonged to Afghanistan. Despite 20-year-old Kenya opener Seren Waters being involved in two half-century partnerships - with Collins Obuya for the second wicket and Ragheb Aga for the seventh - his team were rolled over for 160. Besides that trio, Thomas Odoyo was the only batsman to make it to double digits with experienced batsmen Steve Tikolo, David Obuya and Maurice Ouma contributing only seven between them. Hassan was Afghanistan's bowling star, taking five of the first six wickets to leave Kenya reeling at 90 for 6.

The wickets continued to tumble when Afghanistan batted a second time, but not as rapidly as during Kenya's innings. Ahmadi steered Afghanistan, assisted by opening partner Karim Sadiq and then by Mangal, with whom he added 66 runs for the third wicket. At stumps, No. 6 Mohammad Nabi and No. 7 Samiullah Shenwari were at the crease, with Kenya's hopes of a consolation win nearly extinguished.