Openers lift Ireland spirits after 1st innings collapse against Pakistan
dublin — Ireland were 64 without loss in their second innings, a deficit of 116 runs, at stumps on the third day of their inaugural Test after being made to follow-on by Pakistan at Malahide on Sunday.
Ed Joyce was 39 not out and Ireland captain William Porterfield unbeaten on 23, with both openers dropped off Mohammad Amir.
Ireland were batting again after being dismissed for just 130 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings 310 for nine declared.
Ireland finished 31 runs shy of the follow-on avoidance target of 161 after Pakistan had made 310 for nine declared in a match where Friday’s scheduled first day was washed out completely. It was the first time Pakistan had enforced the follow-on in a Test in 16 years — they made New Zealand bat twice in a row on the way to an innings and 324-run win at Lahore in 2002.
Mohammad Abbas did the initial damage with the ball as Ireland collapsed to five for three before lunch, with the paceman finishing with figures of four wickets for 44 in 11 overs, while leg-spinner Shadab Khan took three for 31 in 13.2 overs.
Kevin O’Brien top scored for Ireland with 40 and Gary Wilson, batting with an injured arm, made a gutsy 33 not out. Meanwhile Gary Wilson, who injured his arm batting in the nets and so came in down the order, ensured South Africa’s 84 against England at Port Elizabeth in 1889 remained the lowest total by a side in their maiden Test innings when he edged legspinner Shadab Khan through the slips for four.
At tea, paceman Abbas had taken three wickets for 25 runs in six overs, with left-arm quick Mohammad Amir weighing in with two for nine in 10 and Shadab striking twice in three balls to continue his fine all-round display after an innings of 55 in just his second Test.
Wilson was 14 not out at tea, with Boyd Rankin — who had previously played one Test for England — unbeaten on six. — AFP