Pakistan have found a way to keep the match in balance with a brilliant partnership between Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf who added 109 runs together to take Pakistan from 159/6 at one stage to 268/6 at stumps on Day 2. On the third day, Pakistan will look to bank on the two to continue the scoring and increase the total past 350. Ireland, on the other end, will look to take quick wickets to try and bowl out Ireland below the total of 300. But, the task might not be as easy as on Day 1 because Khan, who is on 52, and Ashraf who is on 61, have settled well on the crease and look well set.
At Stumps on Day 3 - Ireland are 64/0 in their second innings, trail by 116 runs. This was after Ireland could only muster 130 runs in their first innings. The Irish batsmen played poor shots on a wicket which is conducive to bowling. Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers and returns with figures of 4/44. Shadab Khan also picked up three wickets. With a lead of 180 runs, Pakistan enforced the follow-on for the first time in 16 years. In reply Ireland are steady at 64/0.
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Ireland have walked out to bat again, William Porterfield, Ed Joyce are at the crease. The Irish players need to show more character and survive at the crease. Mohammad Abbas will once again open the attack for Pakistan.
Ireland are all out for 130. Mohammad Abbas was the pick of the bowlers and returns with figures of 4/44. Shadab Khan also picked up three wickets. Pakistan lead by 180 runs and have enforced the follow-on for the first in 16 years. Ireland will need to bat better in the second innings to avoid a defeat in their first Test.
Mohammad Abbas has picked up the wicket of Rankin. Poor shot by the tailender as he plays across the line and gets an inside edge. Sarfraz Ahmed collects it behind the stumps. Rankin is out for 17. Ireland sink deeper at 107/9.
With a boundary of Mohammad Abbas, Rankin helps Ireland reach 100 in their first innings. Huge Cheers around the ground. Gary Wilson and Boyd Rankin must continue their good work to ensure Ireland avoid the follow on.
The last session of Day 3 is about to begin in Dublin. Mohammad Abbas has the ball in hand. Ireland will look to avoid the follow-on while Pakistan's aim will be to wrap things up quickly. IRE- 95/8, trail by 215 runs and need 66 runs to avoid a follow-on.
Ireland have somehow survived through until tea and go in on 95/8 with Gary Wilson (14) and Boyd Rankin (6) at the crease. However, Ireland still trail by 215 runs and need 66 runs to avoid a follow-on.
Ireland have avoided setting a new record for the lowest total by a team in their debut men's Test innings (South Africa 84 v ENG in 1889).
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Ireland are in deep trouble after Kevin O Brien is dismissed by Mohammad Amir. KOB will be distraught with himself, as he has to walk back after getting his eye in. From the other end, Shadab Khan is not letting the runs from the other end either. Ireland- 76/8, trail by 234 runs. Gary Wilson, Boyd Rankin at the crease.
It does not look good for the hosts who are playing their maiden Test match. Shadab Khan strikes in his second over as Stuart Thompson is bowled for 3. Tyrone Kane comes in, goes for a two ball duck as Shadab gets his second with Babar Azam taking the catch.
Ireland post 50 with a loss of five wickets. Kevin O Brien carries forward the campaign for the hosts as one wicket after the other falls. Ireland need a good partnership now to turn things around for themselves.
Ireland's first real partnership comes to an end. Faheem Ashraf claims his first Test wicket with Babar Azam taking the catch as Stirling lobs off a thick edge. Stuart Thompson walks in next. Ireland are 36/5.
A little progress for Ireland as they post 16/4 after 10 overs. Kevin O Briel and Paul Stirling are on their way of stitching a partnership. Like yesterday, the last two sessions of the day will be extended to make up for lost time due to rain.
This is serious trouble for the hosts. Just after play resumed after lunch, Abbas claims his third lbw with Niall O'Brien sent back for a duck. Ireland are 7/4.
Ireland are in trouble now. Skipper William Porterfield gets out-bowled, as he makes a wrong decision. Mohammad Amir finds the top of Porterfield's off-stump. And with that, lunch is declared. Ireland: 5/3 (6.1 Ovs).
Mohammad Abbas claims his second wicket, sending back Andy Balbirnie for a duck. Ireland 5/2. Wanting to flick it, Balbirnie instead gets hit on the bad. Not a good start for Ireland.
An early strike for Pakistan as Ed Joyce is given out lbw. Mohammad Abbas claims the wicket, Ed Joyce goes for 4. Ireland are 5/1 after 1.5 overs.
Pakistan have made the declaration at 310/9. This is a godd move from Sarfraz Ahmed because Pakistan have a formidable bowling line up and they can defend this total and can get a good lead
Murtagh has his fourth wicket and Mohammad Amir has been caught behind for 13. Pakistan lose their 9th, Another wicket goes down and Faheem Ashraf has been caught behind for 83. Thompson has a wicket and this is an important one as he was all set for a hundred.
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Another catch goes down and this was an easy one for them. Ireland have been a good team when it comes to fielding but they have been a bit sloppy in this game. Maybe because this is the pressure of Test cricket
Shadab Khan is gone after being trapped in front by Murtagh for 55. He seems a bit disappointed as that one was going down the leg side. Some bad umpiring there but he has to walk back and the partnership has been broken.
Faheem Ashraf edged the length delibery from Kane that went towards the second slip. It was a sharp catch and the fielder tried his best to grab that one. Ashraf survives and he is still at the crease
Pakistan begin the proceedings on day 3. They were pushed on the back foot earlier in the innings but Shadab Khan and Faheem Sharaf provided them the resistance. Ireland have impressed with their bowling performance on day 2 capitalising the condition quite nicely
Ireland have had a busy day with the bowl on Day 2, as they opt to field first after winning the toss. Pakistan lost 6 wickets in quick succession, and looked in trouble at one stage with the total being 159/6. But the 100-run partnership between Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf have now made the match evenly poised. Whicever team comes out on the top on Day 3, will tilt the match in their favour.