Bitter sweet
Tahir plays in Scots loss
Craig Ritchie
Ferguslie’s Hamza Tahir has capped off a stunning start to the season making his Scotland debut.
Although the bowler missed the cut for the nation’s famous victory over England last weekend, the Paisley spinner returned to the fold for their T20 clash with Pakistan at the Grange.
The afternoon would end in a 48run defeat for Scotland but Tahir still impressed on a tricky afternoon for Grant Bradburn’s side.
Two days after the biggest result in their history, Scotland had the chance to do it all over again against another high-ranked side.
But it was Pakistan that claimed the spoils as Sarfraz Ahmed’s unbeaten 89, coupled with 53 from Shoaib Malik, saw the visitors to victory.
Despite a strong start to the Scotland chase, the experienced pairing’s partnership of 96 proved the biggest difference as Pakistan eased to a 48-run win.
Tahir was thrown in at the deep end and was given a rude awakening to the world of international cricket, going for three boundaries and then a six in his first over for the Scots.
But he was back in the thick of the action when Hussain Talat was out, caught by Tahir off Richie Berrington.
But from then on Sarfraz and Malik took control, racking up the totals in the late overs as the two had powered the Pakistan innings towards a total of above 200.
Scotland’s reply began well as both Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey started well.
Coetzer played a terrific drive to the boundary off Muhammad Amir and that was followed by a six into the sightscreen as the team’s 50 arrived injust 4.3 overs.
However, Munsey’s departure at the start of the sixth for 25, caught by Sarfraz off Hassan Ali, stalled their early momentum.
Berrington then fell as leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who caught him out in front with a first ball, sparked the beginning of the end as Pakistan cleaned-up to halt the Scots in their tracks.