Playing only in their second Test, Afghanistan registered their maiden win in the game’s longest format against Ireland. Set a paltry target of 147 runs, on day four of the one-off Test at Dehradun Afghanistan completed the chase at the loss of three wickets. This was Ireland’s second Test as well. Both the teams were handed Test status last year. Ihsanullah Janat and Rahmat Shah stitched a match-winning partnership of 139 runs for the second-wicket to help Afghanistan register a historic win. Afghanistan vs Ireland One-off Test Full Scorecard.

In the first innings of the Test, Ireland managed to score only 172 runs with Yamin Ahmadzai and Mohammad Nabi scalping three wickets each. Afghanistan then responded with 314 runs in their first innings and secured a healthy lead of 142 runs with Rahmat Shah scoring 98 runs.

Ireland then fought back in their second innings despite losing two wickets for just 33 runs. Andy Balbirnie and James McCollum shared an impressive stand of 104 runs for the third wicket but that was not enough for Ireland to set a daunting target for Afghanistan. It was Rashid Khan’s maiden five-wicket haul that helped Afghanistan take further control in the Test.

Afghanistan’s chase on day three got off to the worst start as the hosts lost opener Mohammad Shahzad with just five runs on board. Resuming on an overnight score of 29 for one, Ihsanullah and Rahmat both posted half-centuries on day four to take Afghanistan close to the target. The hosts lost two quick wickets towards the end but were well in control of the proceedings. Afghanistan eventually won the Test with Ihsanullah and Rahmat scoring 65 not-out and 76 runs respectively.

Both Ireland and Afghanistan lost their first matches against Pakistan and India respectively. While Ireland fought hard in their opening Test, Afghanistan was an easy opponent for India.

The two sides earlier faced in the three-match T20Is and five-match ODI series as well. Afghanistan won the T20I series 3-0 and the ODI series was shared after both teams won two matches each with one of the games washed out due to rain.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2019 12:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).