Shadab and Faheem revive Pakistan in Ireland’s inaugural Test

DUBLIN: Shadab Khan and debutant Faheem Ashraf both scored maiden Test fifties as Pakistan fought back in Ireland’s inaugural Test match in Dublin.

Pakistan were 268 for six when bad light and then rain brought the second day at Malahide to a premature close on Saturday.

Shadab, in just his second Test, was 52 not out and left-hander Faheem 61 not out, with their unbroken seventh-wicket stand so far worth 109 runs after they had come together at 159 for six.

Pakistan, sent into bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield, lost two wickets in successive balls to be 13 for two when Asad Shafiq came in.

Shafiq then made a fine 62 against an Ireland attack that suffered from lacking a specialist spinner.

Paceman Tim Murtagh took two wickets for 33 runs from 17 overs, with Boyd Rankin returning figures of two for 58 in 17.

“It was a magic feeling to get my first wicket, I was happy for Boyd to take the first and then to get the next one, next ball was special,” said Murtagh.

Meanwhile Shafiq said: “It was difficult conditions, especially for us.

“We are not used to playing in these conditions.

“The ball was moving off the pitch quite a lot. Credit goes to the Irish bowlers.”

He added: “The team needed that innings (of mine) because we lost some early wickets – that’s why that innings was so important for me and for my team as well.”

As for the match position, Shafiq said Shadab and Faheem had put Pakistan in the “driving seat”.

“They both played outstanding innings,” he said.

“When they both went in we were not in a very good position but the way they both batted they really put us in the driving seat in this Test match.” — AFP