TEST REPORT AND REACTION: Page 42

KEVIN O’Brien produced another memorable international century to leave Ireland’s inaugural Test with Pakistan fascinatingly poised following the hosts’ spirited fourth-day fightback.

Seven years after O’Brien smashed the quickest World Cup ton in a match-winning innings against England, he marched into three figures again, making 118 not out as Ireland, who had been made to follow-on, progressed to 319 for seven, a 139-run lead.

With showers possible today, not to mention scoreboard pressure, all results still appear possible when it had seemed like a Pakistan victory was a foregone conclusion at the start of yesterday’s play. “It’s a very proud and emotional moment,” he said. “To get there, it’s a great honour. Hopefully now we’ve put ourselves in a good position to try and go ahead and win it. There’s no reason why we can’t.

“If I can continue on for another hour and a half, that 118 changes to 170-odd and then we get a crack at them, try and get them a couple down early and see where we go.”