Most of the cricketers want to represent their respective countries in Test matches and the Irish players undoubtedly belong to that group and they have proved how eagerly they had been waiting for the day when their national team would be allowed to play the prestigious red-ball game at international level.

Pakistan’s squad selection somewhat reflects the fact that they did not expect such an impressive display from the newly promoted Test team. And being a promising member of the Test-playing nations’ band, Ireland have once again surprised the cricketing world.

Ireland were perhaps unfortunate as the first day of their inaugural Test got washed out. However, they have made up for it with their amazing bowling performance as Pakistan are already six down at stumps on day-2.

While one of the two debutants from the Pakistan team tried to keep things together for his side, Imam-ul-Haq certainly didn’t have a debut worth remembering as Tim Murtagh dismissed him for a puny score.

Ireland were looking good from the very beginning their bowlers teamed up greatly to thwart the Pakistan batting line-up. Pakistan were six wickets down at tea as Murtagh, Boyd Rankin, and Sturart Thompson scalped 2 wickets each. During this miserable period, Asad Shafiq was the only batsman who stood firm and picked up a half-century. Shafiq played a crucial know 62 runs before returning to the pavilion.

Pakistan then resurged with both Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf clubbing a fifty each. Ashraf, who is playing his maiden Test, remained not out on 61 runs when the day’s play came to a close. Shadab also remained unbeaten on 52 as both of them prevented any wicket-loss in the third session.

Umpires drew the stumps early due to bad light and with the help of an unbeaten 7^th wicket partnership of 109 runs, Pakistan ended the second day at 268/6.

Ireland had two great sessions and will look to come back stronger after Pakistan’s lower middle-order-dominated finish. Pakistan will also do everything to salvage their pride when they resume the game on the third day.

 

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