One-off Test: Afghanistan gain lead against Ireland on Day 2
Afghanistan made a comeback after perishing for 155 against Ireland on Day 1 of one-off Test in Abu Dhabi. By stumps the following day, the hosts led by 26 runs with seven wickets in hand (134/3). They bowled out Ireland for 263 on Day 2, with Zia-ur-Rehman taking a fifer. Meanwhile, Paul Stirling scored a half-century for the Irishmen. Here is Day 2 report.
A look at Day 2 summary
Ireland resumed with their overnight score of 100/4 on Day 2. Naveed Zadran gave the hosts an early breakthrough in the form of Harry Tector (106/5). However, Stirling and Lorcan Tucker propelled Ireland past 180. They reached 263 with contributions from Andy McBrine and Mark Adair. Rehman took a fifer. Afghanistan batted in the second half (134/3). Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz returned unscathed.
A crucial knock from Stirling
Responding to Afghanistan's first innings score of 155, Ireland were struggling at 94/4 when Stirling arrived to bat toward the end of Day 1. He returned unbeaten on two and batted exceedingly well in the morning session on Day 2. Alongside wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker, he added 80 runs for the sixth wicket before falling to Zahir Khan. Stirling made an 89-ball 52 (7 fours).
A fine spell from Rehman
Rehman opened his account on Day 1, dismissing Curtis Campher for 49. He soon got the better of Theo van Woerkom (1) as well, reducing the visitors to 94/4. The left-arm spinner dismissed a well-set Lorcan Tucker for 46 the next morning. Lower-order batters Mark Adair (15) and Barry McCarthy (5) were his other victims. The left-arm spinner returned with 5/64 in 30 overs.
Fourth Afghan bowled with a Test fifer
Rehman became the fourth Afghanistan bowler to claim a Test fifer after Rashid Khan (4), Amir Hamza (2), and Nijat Masood (1). Notably, Rehman is playing his second Test, as he went wicket-less across both outings on debut against Sri Lanka, earlier this month. Meanwhile, this was Rehman's 14th First-Class fifer as he has raced to 164 wickets, averaging around 20.
Second 50-plus score for Stirling
Playing his sixth Test, Stirling has raced to 305 runs at 27.73. This was his maiden fifty in the format, as his only other 50-plus score was a century (103) against Sri Lanka last year. This was his first Test assignment at number six. Overall, in First-Class cricket, Stirling now owns 3,240 runs, averaging around 29. The tally includes eight tons and 15 fifties.
Fifty for the Afghanistan skipper
In the second innings, Afghanistan lost Ibrahim Zadran (24/1) and Rahmat Shah (38/2) before the 10-over mark. Noor Ali Zadran joined Afghanistan skipper Shahidi but departed for 32. The latter then held his end and smashed an unbeaten 53 off 92 balls. He has scored 5 fours as of now. Shahidi took Afghanistan past 100 alongside Gurbaz, who returned unbeaten on 23(28).
