AFG vs IRE Only Test, Day 3 Highlights: Turning points, match analysis, stats and more

Ireland scripted history on Friday, March 1 as they won their first-ever Test match with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan on Day 3 of the Only Test at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi. Chasing a stiff target of 111 in the fourth innings, the Andy Balbirnie-led side was left reeling at 39/4. Right-arm seamer Naveed Zadran kept Afghanistan in the game by destroying the stumps of Peter Moor (0 off 9) and Curtis Campher (0 off 1).

Harry Tector (2 off 7) and Paul Stirling (14 off 22) also returned to the pavilion cheaply. However, captain Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker (27* off 57) got involved in an unbeaten 72-run stand to take their team over the line and register a historic win. Captain Balbirnie scored a match-winning half-century of 58* (96) with the help of five fours.

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Earlier in the day, Afghanistan resumed their innings on 134/3 with Hashmatullah Shahidi (53*) and Rahmat Shah (23*) at the crease. The duo extended their partnership to 47 before Mark Adair trapped Sahidi lbw on 55 to bring curtains on his innings.

Nasir Jamal walked in at number six but departed cheaply for 2 losing his stumps against Barry McCarthy. Karim Janat (13 off 39) and Gurbaz added 30 runs for the sixth wicket. Gurbaz fell four runs short of his half century getting his stumps shattered by Craig Young on 46.

Mark Adair picked 8 wicket haul during the game

Zia-ur-Rehman (13 off 29) and Janat got involved in another crucial 30-run stand to take Afghanistan’s score past 200. Naveed Zadran also made a valuable contribution of 25 (53) as Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 218 in their second innings with a lead of 110 runs.

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Mark Adair (3/56), Barry McCarthy (3/48) and Craig Young (3/24) picked three wickets each for Ireland while Theo van Woerkom (1/43) picked one wicket each.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on Ireland'ss historic win. Here are some of the posts: