Imam helps Pak beat Ireland
Dublin, May 15: Ireland lost their maiden Test match to Pakistan by five wickets on Tuesday, but went down fighting at Malahide in Dublin.
Starting the day on 319/ 7 with Kevin O’Brien resuming on 118, Ireland were only able to add 20 runs to their overnight total to set Pakistan a target of 160.
O’Brien, who became Ireland’s first- ever Test centurion on Monday, was out to the first ball he faced, but Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin ploughed into Pakistan’s batting lineup early on to add a touch of drama to the proceedings.
Opener Azhar Ali was the first to depart for two, caught by Paul Stirling at first slip after a good length delivery by Murtagh, before Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq were swiftly sent packing to leave the visitors reeling on 14/ 3.
That was as good as it got for Ireland.
Opener Imam- ul- Haq steadied the ship with a fine Test debut, stroking an unbeaten 74 that provided the platform for victory. Imam’s 126- run fourth wicket stand with Babar Azam was enough to break the Irish resistance, but only after Andy Balbirnie let an opportunity to send Babar back to the dressing room early slip through his fingers at third slip.
Scores: Pakistan 310/ 9 decl. & 160/ 5 in 45 overs ( Imam 74, B. Azam 59, T. Murtagh 2/ 55) bt Ireland 130 & 339 in 129.3 overs ( K. O’Brien 118, S. Thompson 53, M. Abbas 5/ 66).