AFG vs IRE Only Test, Day 1 Highlights: Turning points, match analysis, stats and more

The opening Day of the only Test between Afghanistan and Ireland ended in balance as Ireland finished on 100/4 at stumps at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi trailing Afghanistan by 55 runs. Earlier in the day, Afghanistan were bundled out for 155 in 54.5 overs as Mark Adair picked 5/39 in 16.5 overs.

The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side didn’t get off to a good start after their captain won the toss and elected to bat first as opener Noor Ali Zadran (7 off 27) was dismissed cheaply by Adair in just the seventh over of the day. The right-arm seamer further struck another blow as he dismantled the stumps of Rahmat Shah (0 off 3) in the same over.

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After losing two early wickets, captain Shahidi walked to the crease and added 55 runs for the third wicket with Ibrahim Zadran to stabilize the innings. However, they couldn’t extend their partnership beyond that as Baary McCarthy got rid of the Afghanistan skipper to end the partnership.

At the other end, Zadran continued his innings and scored a brilliant half-century (53 off 83). However other batters failed to support him as Rahmanullah Gurbaz (5 off 20) and Nasir Jamal (0 off 8) also departed cheaply leaving Afghanistan on 90/6. Karim Janat saved some pride for his side playing an unbeaten knock of 41 (78) with the help of six fours and took Afghanistan to 155 in their first innings.

Curtis Campher missed out on his half-century

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In reply, Ireland also didn’t start well in their first innings losing openers Peter Moor (12 off 29) and Andy Balbirnie (2 off 12) with 32 runs on the board. However, Curtis Campher (49 off 64) and Harry Tector (32 off 64) added 60 runs for the third wicket after the two early blows. After a good partnership, Afghanistan managed to claw their way back into the game with left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman dismissing Campher and Theo van Woerkom to leave Ireland on 94/4 after 28.2 overs. They finally finished Day 1 on 100/4 with Harry Tector (32* off 64) and Paul Stirling (2* off 9) at the crease.

Here are some of the reactions on the day's play: