SCOTLAND dodged the showers yesterday to put themselves in with an excellent chance of claiming the first innings bonus points from their I-Cup clash with Afghanistan.

However, a further lengthy delay in the rain-affected four-day clash at New Williamfield, Stirling, means outright victory may be beyond them.

No play was possible on the third day until mid-afternoon but the Scots made up for lost time with a dominant display in the field to leave their rivals on 96-8 - 137 runs behind.

Having posted 233 in their first innings, Preston Mommsen's side quickly took charge with three wickets during a deadly new-ball spell from Ali Evans and Safyaan Sharif.

Evans made the breakthrough with the second ball of the innings when he trapped Javed Ahmadi in front before Sharif chipped in with the prize scalp of the dangerous Mo Shahzad who chopped one onto his stumps.

The Scots really had their tails up when Evans clean-bowled Nawroz Mangal to reduce the visitors for 9-3.

It would have been 9-4 if Hamish Gardiner had hung on to a slip chance which would have cut short Ashgar Stanikzai's stay at the crease.

Instead Stanikzai led a mini-recovery with Rhamat Shah as the Afghans rallied.

Gardiner's lapse looked like proving costly as Stanikzai despatched five boundaries during a spirited counter-attack.

However, Durham teenager Gavin Main joined the attack to remove him for 26 thanks to Con de Lange's catch at mid-off.

Debutant de Lange's day was to get even better when he was brought into the attack and proceeded to claim a wicket with his first delivery, Shah trapped lbw for 20.

There was some resistance from Samiullah Shenwari who was unbeaten on 29 at the close but de Lange's fine day continued with two more wickets while Main returned to pick up his second.

It left Afghanistan reeling on 94-8 and they will resume needing a further 137 runs from their last two wickets to deny Scotland the six first innings bonus points.

Earlier the Scots managed to add just six runs to their overnight total as Afghanistan quickly took the two wickets they needed.

Evans was first to go, deceived by a spinning delivery from Shah that knocked over his stumps.

Matthew Cross, whom the Scots hoped could add some useful late runs, instead was a victim of the same bowler, edging behind for 30.

Scotland coach Grant Bradburn later praised de Lange whose debut heroics helped put Scotland in charge.

South African-born de Lange, who qualifies on residency, marked his first appearance by claiming 3-9 while all Scotland's seamers also played their part.

Bradburn declared: “Con brings a huge amount of experience - in fact he has probably played more first-class cricket than the rest of the guys combined.

“He is a calming influence and a good bloke to have around quite apart from the special skills that he has.

“With his ability to take the ball away from the bat Con brings a skill that we haven't had in the side for a while and that's really exciting.

“But everyone can be pleased with the way the day has gone. We'd have liked a few more runs on the board this morning.

“After being put in to bat yesterday we knew that runs on the board would be really important but I'm not too concerned about losing wickets to positive shot.

“We want to play positive cricket and that showed again in the way that we bowled - the attacking lines and lengths and the field settings.

“The guys were really disciplined and got their rewards and hopefully we can clean up the tail as quickly as possible and see if there is still an opportunity to continue playing positive cricket and go for an outright win.”