Ireland claim their maiden Test victory

Abu Dhabi – Ireland finally won their first Test match yesterday when they defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi, ending a streak of seven successive losses.

Captain Andy Balbirnie (right) led from the front with an undefeated 58 as Ireland reached their modest target of 111 in the final session of the third day.

Ireland had played their first Test back in 2018 when they were defeated by Pakistan.

“We’re absolutely excited. We’ve created history. The monkey is off the back and it’s very special to do that,” said Balbirnie, whose team were wobbling at 13/3 at one stage.

“Obviously there were nerves; we were chasing our first win. You ask this whole group how special this is. A lot of our guys didn’t get to play Test cricket. Hopefully people back home want to be Test cricketers.”

Afghanistan resumed their second innings yesterday on 134/3 before they were dismissed for 218.

Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi top-scored with 55 while Rahmanullah Gurbaz, making his Test debut, hit 46.

Mark Adair picked up three wickets to finish with eight for the match. Craig Young and Barry McCarthy also claimed three apiece.

Gurbaz, better known for his flamboyant and explosive shot-making in limited overs cricket, clubbed the only two sixes of the innings.

Chasing just 111 for victory, Ireland were in trouble at 13/3.

Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, who both played in Ireland’s debut Test in 2018, briefly steadied dressing room nerves.

Balbirnie moved watchfully to his fourth Test half-century (86 balles), ably supported by Lorcan Tucker (27*) in a crucial winning partnership of 72. –