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NEW DELHI: Mark Adair‘s stellar performance, securing his maiden five-wicket haul, propelled Ireland into a commanding position on the opening day of the one-off Test between Ireland and Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi saw his team dismissed for 155, with Adair’s figures of 5-39 playing a crucial role.
Ireland, despite a strong start, faced setbacks towards the end of the day with the fall of Curtis Campher for 49, concluding a solid 60-run partnership with Harry Tector, and nightwatchman Theo van Woerkom.
Despite these late wickets, Ireland appeared to be in control until a spirited Afghan fight-back led by spinner Zia-ur-Rehman left them four wickets down and 55 runs short of Afghanistan’s total.
The absence of the injured Rashid Khan seemed to affect Afghanistan’s batting fluency, with only four players reaching double figures. Adair’s early breakthroughs, including the dismissal of opener Noor Ali Zadran, set the tone for Afghanistan’s challenging innings.
Ibrahim Zadran’s half-century provided a brief respite, but a middle-order collapse saw Afghanistan slump from 66-3 to 90-6. Karim Janat’s unbeaten 41 offered some resistance, contributing to their final total.
In response, Ireland faced early challenges as both openers fell within the initial 10 overs. However, the partnership between Campher and Tector steadied the ship for Ireland.
As they resume play on day two, Ireland, yet to secure a Test win since 2017, will look to build on the foundation laid by Tector (32 not out) and Paul Stirling in the middle.
Afghanistan, also a Test nation since 2017, has secured three Test victories, including one against Ireland in 2019.
(With AFP inputs)
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi saw his team dismissed for 155, with Adair’s figures of 5-39 playing a crucial role.
Ireland, despite a strong start, faced setbacks towards the end of the day with the fall of Curtis Campher for 49, concluding a solid 60-run partnership with Harry Tector, and nightwatchman Theo van Woerkom.
Despite these late wickets, Ireland appeared to be in control until a spirited Afghan fight-back led by spinner Zia-ur-Rehman left them four wickets down and 55 runs short of Afghanistan’s total.
The absence of the injured Rashid Khan seemed to affect Afghanistan’s batting fluency, with only four players reaching double figures. Adair’s early breakthroughs, including the dismissal of opener Noor Ali Zadran, set the tone for Afghanistan’s challenging innings.
Ibrahim Zadran’s half-century provided a brief respite, but a middle-order collapse saw Afghanistan slump from 66-3 to 90-6. Karim Janat’s unbeaten 41 offered some resistance, contributing to their final total.
In response, Ireland faced early challenges as both openers fell within the initial 10 overs. However, the partnership between Campher and Tector steadied the ship for Ireland.
As they resume play on day two, Ireland, yet to secure a Test win since 2017, will look to build on the foundation laid by Tector (32 not out) and Paul Stirling in the middle.
Afghanistan, also a Test nation since 2017, has secured three Test victories, including one against Ireland in 2019.
(With AFP inputs)
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