Opening day washout costs Test debutants Ireland 75,000 euros

DUBLIN/MUMBAI: Ireland’s longawaited delay of positioning itself in the same bracket as rest of the Test nations was marred by rains on Friday as their debut in the longest format of the game against Pakistan was halted without the captains even walking out for a toss.

No play on Day 1 meant that the Irish board started off with losses, which ran up to the tune of €75,000 for the refund of the 5,100 tickets that were sold for the historic occasion.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Waren Deutrom labelled the five-day format as a “loss leader” for the board. “Yes, of course it’s disappointing. But what I don’t want to do is go around with a long face, projecting misery. Because it isn’t that. We’re still hugely proud and there are still four days to go,” Deutrom was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

PAKISTAN REACH 67-2

DUBLIN : Pakistan reached lunch on 67-2 Saturday after Ireland had a first ball in Test cricket to remember. Delivered by Middlesex bowler Tim Murtagh, Pakistan opener Azhar Ali took a single off it. But in the process of doing so, opening partner Iman ul-Haq was injured.

Diving to make his crease as Tyrone Kane tried to throw down the stumps, Imam — nephew of Pakistan great Inzamam — collided with the onrushing Niall O’Brien. After a brief delay Imam was able to carry on, with no wicket lost.

Ireland gave Pakistan a scare once play got fully underway on Day 2 of the inaugural one-off Test in the grounds of Malahide Castle, just north of Dublin.

Former England international Boyd Rankin (1-7 off seven overs) had the honor of taking Ireland’s first-ever Test wicket with Azhar (4) edging him to second slip.

Imam (7) went the very next ball, to Murtagh, struck on the kneeroll and given out leg before wicket, leaving Pakistan at 13-2.

With Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq at the crease, Pakistan rebuilt after being put into bat and did not lose another wicket before lunch. The first session ended with Sohail having made 28 and Shafiq 22.

NO PLAY ON DAY 1 MEANT THAT THE IRISH BOARD STARTED OFF WITH LOSSES, WHICH RAN UP TO THE TUNE OF €75,000 FOR THE REFUND OF THE 5,100 TICKETS SOLD FOR THE HISTORIC OCCASION