Afghanistan vs Ireland Only Test: Afghanistan take on Ireland. (Source: AP)
Afghanistan vs Ireland Only Test: Afghanistan and Ireland are set to face off against each other in a historic Test. The two teams are looking to record their first ever win Test win ever since they were awarded the Test status a couple of years ago. Afghanistan, who are playing in their adopted homeground, Dehradun, will feel that they are in advantage.
On the other hand, Ireland squad is more suited to playing Test format, and they gave a tough fight to Pakistan in their first Test, while Afghanistan were bundled out in front of India.
Match EndedAfghanistan and Ireland tour of India, 2019 - One-off Test
Afghanistan
314 (106.3) & 149/3 (47.5)vs
Ireland
172 (60.0) & 288 (93.0)Match Ended ( One-off Test )
Afghanistan beat Ireland by 7 wickets
Afghanistan beat Ireland by 7 wickets
Live Blog
At stumps - AFG 90/2 (31 ovs) | Afghanistan trail by 82 runs. The home team will be the happier team at the end of the day. Tomorrow should be a good day for battting. Afghanistan will look to build on their position.
The fifty has come up for Afghanistan in overs. Mohammad Shahzad and Rahmat Shah showing good composure to take it slowly. AFG- 52/1
WICKET! James Cameron finds the breakthrough. The right-armer dismisses Ihsanullah in his very first over. The umpire has adjudged him LBW, though it looked as if it was sliding down the wicket. NO REVIEWS ON OFFER IN THIS SERIES! AFG 27/1
Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah are at the crease. Tim Murtagh will open the attack for Ireland. HERE WE GO!
50/153 F Spofforth Aus vs Eng, MCG, 1885
53*/216 S Shillingford WI vs NZ, Kingston, 2014
54*/172 T Murtagh Ire vs Afg, Dehradun, 2019.
WICKET! Ahmadzai finally takes the wicket and it is George Dockrell who has been caught by keeper Ikram Ali Khil. Dockrell dismissed for 39 and the 87-run partnership comes to an end. Ireland all out for 172.
Tim Murtagh brings up his maiden Test fifty! WHAT A KNOCK by the No. 11. He raises his bat in style. He knows he has completely changed the game since he came on.
George Dockrell and Tim Murtagh have done the impossible. The duo have taken Ireland past the 150-run mark, adding 76 runs together. If the visitors could reach somewhere close to 200, it would be a massive boost to the side when they come out to bowl in the first innings. Ireland are 161/9
FOUR! George Dockrell hammers Waqar Salamkheil for a boundary to take Ireland past the 100-run mark. Still one wicket in hand. But at one stage, it was looking impossible to get here.
GONE! Waqar Salamkheil has trapped James Cameron and Ireland are nine wickets down for 86. One wicket away from being bowled out.
GONE! Waqar Salamkhei has cleaned up Andy McBrine immediately after the Lunch. Tossed up delivery and McBrine tried to step up and paid the price. IRE 8 down for 70!
End of first session between Afghanistan and Ireland. The game is completely tilted towards Afghanistan who have bowled beautifully.; Ireland are 69/7 at Lunch/
WICKET! Wicket number three for Mohammad Nabi and he puts an end to Thompson's innings. Slider bowled from wide of the crease, Thompson ekes a thick inside edge onto pad and a sharp low catch stretching forward. by Shahidi. Ireland are 7 wickets down
WICKET! Mohammed Nabi gets the big wicket of Kevin O' Brien. Ireland are in big, big trouble now. Classic off break, pitches in good length and Brien missed the spin on it. IRE 59/6
WICKET! Rashid Khan strikes in his ball. James McCullum has been cleaned up for 4. Ireland are four wickets down with just 55 runs on the baord.
WICKET! And another one for Rashid Khan! He is on fire! 2 wickets in 3 balls for the spinner. IRE 5 down for 55.
WICKET! Ahmadzai has cleaned up Andy Balbirnie for 4. Ireland are now falling like a pack of cards. The in-nipper does the trick. IRE 45/3
WICKET! FIve balls later, Skipper William Porterfield has been trapped LBW by spinner Mohammad Nabi. Good comeback by Afghanistan. Irleand out of openers. IRE 41/1
WICKET! Yamin Ahmadzai has got the wicket of Ireland skipper Paul Stirling. Good catch by Ikram Ali Khil. Ireland lose their first wicket after a strong start. IRE 37/1
Ireland are not playing this like a Test match at all. They are on fire, already getting off to 18 runs in 3 overs. A strike rate of 6. Good start by Irish openers.
William Porterfield and Paul Stirling are at the crease for Ireland. Porterfield is on strike. Yamin Ahmadzai opens the attack for Afghanistan. HERE WE GO!
Afghanistan have three debutants in their playing XI - Ihsanullah Janat, Ikram Ali Khil and Waqar Salamkheil.
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Shahzad(w), Ihsanullah Janat, Asghar Afghan(c), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Ali Khil, Rashid Khan, Wafadar Momand, Yamin Ahmadzai, Waqar Salamkheil
Ireland (Playing XI): William Porterfield(c), Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Kevin O Brien, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Stuart Poynter(w), Andy McBrine, James Cameron-Dow, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh
Ireland win toss, elect to bat!
Four debutants for Ireland - Stuart Poynter, George Dockrell, James McCollum and James Cameron-Dow.
There are no updates of toss. As per the Twitter handles, the match is not going to start at 0930 AM IST, but at 1000 AM IST. So the toss will most likely take place at 0930 AM IST.
Asghar Afghan: "It is a moment of pride that Afghanistan hosts its first Test match and it carries a lot of meaning for us. Although, we lost our inaugural Test match to India last year but we will aim to play in the upcoming Test match with full strength"
William Porterfield: "It will be completely different conditions [in the Test match] - our first Test match against Pakistan was a home game in Malahide in May whereas we are in Dehradun here in India in March. We will see how the pitch is in the next couple of days and expect it not to be very different."
Hello and welcome to our live blog on the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Ireland. This is a historic opportunity for both the newly recognised Test teams to pull off their first ever win. Ireland have shown their ability to sprung up surprise in longer formats and will pose a challenge for Afghanistan, despite the latter having the homeground advantage.