Ireland fought back in the opening Test against Pakistan after being forced to follow in the Dublin Test.
Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas picked up four wickets while leg-spinner Shadab Khan took three as the hosts were shot out for 130 following Pakistan’s first-inning declaration on 310 for nine.
Since the first day’s play was washed out, the follow on mark was 150 and not the usual 200. Sarfraz Ahmed duly enforced the follow on but Ireland showed a lot more fight in the second outing with openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling adding 61 for the unbroken opening stand.
PAKISTAN MARCH ON
Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf had led Pakistan’s fightback on the second day, which was the first day of the Test following the opening day washout, along with Shadab. Pakistan started the day on 268 for six but leg-spinner Shadab was dismissed for a dodgy lbw decision on 55 against the bowling of seamer Tim Murtagh.
It was left to Ashraf to take the total past 300 and he did that during his knock of 83 on his Test debut. Pakistan declared their inning soon after.
ABBAS WRECKS IRELAND LINE-UP
OUT! Niall O Brien (0) b Mohammad Abbas. Ireland: 7/4 (7.5 Ovs) ov). For live updates: https://t.co/eMBVfXKKYp #IREvPAK pic.twitter.com/JgWHGafHPP
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) May 13, 2018
While all eyes were on left-arm quick Mohammad Amir on a lively surface, it was the nagging line of seamer Abbas that did all the damage as he snared three top order wickets – Ed Joyce, Andy Balbirine and Niall O’Brien – lbw.
Once Faheem had Paul Stirling as his maiden Test wicket, Ireland were staring down the barrel at 36-5.
Leg-spinner Shadab (3-31) finished off the lower order while Amir ended up with fantastic figures of 2-9 from 10 overs as Ireland were bowled out for just 130 in 47.2 overs, allowing captain Sarfraz to enforce the follow on.
TROUBLE FOR AMIR
Oh man! Amir couldn’t completed his over, fitness issue 😪
— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) May 13, 2018
Following on, Ireland gave a much better account of themselves as they reached 64 for no loss at stumps, with Joyce unbeaten on 39 and captain William Porterfield on 23.
The fitness of pace ace Amir was the main concern for Pakistan as he went off the field twice. Amir had pulled out of the attack earlier as well. Last year in the Dubai Test against Sri Lanka, Amir walked off the field after complaining of pain in his leg.
On Sunday, Amir failed to finish his fourth over, which was finished by Shadab.
