Balbirnie steers Ireland home for maiden Test win

Skipper Andrew Balbirnie hit a crucial unbeaten half-century to give Ireland their maiden win in Test cricket as they beat Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi. At one stage, it did appear like Ireland’s wait for their first win in the format would continue ever since they played their first Test in 2018. However, Balbirnie managed to guide them home successfully in the tricky run chase of 111.

By stumps on the second day, Afghanistan were in a precarious position but had a chance to turn things around. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi had already hit an unbeaten half-century and had Rahmanullah Gurbaz for company with their side having a lead of 26. However, Shahidi fell early in the day, getting trapped leg-before-wicket for 55. To make matters worse, they lost another quick wicket and were put under the pump.

Gurbaz fought hard to make 46 and Naveed Zadran hung in for a while to contribute a crucial 25 to drag Afghanistan’s lead past 100. But setting the opposition a target of only 111, Afghanistan made a terrific start with the ball. Peter Moor was bowled for a duck by Zadran in just the second over of the chase and Curtis Campher lost his stumps off the very next delivery. Two overs later, Harry Tector departed for 2 and suddenly the batting side found themselves reeling at 13/3.

While there was a brief resurrection with Paul Stirling hitting three boundaries, his departure added to Ireland’s woes with the batting side still needing 72 for the win. Balbirnie then stopped a rampaging Afghanistan alongside Lorcan Tucker as the pair kept Ireland steady. The pair ensured the runs kept flowing as they managed to rotate the strike constantly, finding the odd boundary as well. Once Balbirnie brought up his fifty, the two batters hit a boundary each in the ensuing overs to put the game to bed.

Brief scores:
Afghanistan 155 (Ibrahim Zadran 53; Mark Adair 5/39) and  218 (Hashmatullah Shahidi 55; Craig Young 3/24) lost to  Ireland 263 (Paul Stirling 52; Zia-ur-Rehman 5/64) and  111/4 (Andrew Balbirnie 58*; Naveed Zadran 2/31) by 6 wickets