|| Desk Report ||

The hosts Afghanistan continued their domination on the day two of the one-off Test against Ireland in Dehradun on Saturday. Ireland were 21 for 1 in their second innings, trailing by 120 runs at the stumps on the day two. Opener Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie remained unbeaten at respectively 8 and 14 runs. The visitors lost opener William Porterfield for the naught.  

Earlier in the morning, having started the day on 90 for 2, the hosts were all dismissed for 314. Rahmat Shah fell just two short of his maiden Test ton, scored the highest 98 runs for Afghanistan. Among others, Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 61 while skipper Asghar Afghan added 67 for the home side. Rahmat Shah along with Hashmatullah Shahidi 130 runs in their third wicket-stand. Shah scored 98 off 214 balls including 15 boundaries while Shahidi smashed his maiden 61 off 154 balls including hit six boundaries. Skipper Asghar Afghan’s 67 came off 92 balls with the help of six boundaries and four sixers.

The veteran Mohammad Nabi removed for the duck, followed by Ikram Ali Khil (7). Rashid Khan added just 10 runs while Yamin Ahmadzai contributed 2 and Wafadar Momand added 6. Waqar Salamkheil was not out for 1. 

However, Medium-pacer Stuart Thompson became one of the most successful bowlers for Iris claiming 3 for 28 runs only in his 17.3 overs. Among others, Andy McBrine, James Cameron-Dow and George Dockrell picked up two wickets each. 

Ireland managed to score 172 runs in their first innings on day one. Iris top order stumbled against the hosts’ spin trio of Mohammad Nabi (3-36), Rashid Khan (2-20) and debutant Waqar Salamkheil (2-35). Tim Murtagh was unbeaten at 54 off 75 balls. 

Brief Score

1^st Innings 

Ireland: 172 

Murtagh 54*, Dockrell 39; Nabi 3-36, Ahmadzai 3-41

Afghanistan: 314 

Rahmat 98, Asghar 67, Shahidi 61; Thompson 3-28