Cricket Ireland won their first test in the country’s history. The Shamrocks defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets in Day 3 of first Ireland-Afghanistan Test in Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi.
Matt Adair restricted the Afghans to 155 in the first innings on Wednesday with a sensational fife-for. The Irish managed a 108 run lead with 45+ knocks from Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher.
The Afghans only managed 218, setting a target of 111 for the Irish. Matt Adair, Craig Young, B McCarthy picked up three wickets each.
H.I.S.T.O.R.Y. pic.twitter.com/JYZQxYYfjq
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) March 1, 2024
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Chasing down their first ever victory, Ireland lost three wickets in quick succession. At 12.4, They were down by 39/4 looking at a fall out. Captain Andrew Balbirnie teamed up with wickie Lorean Tucker for the fifth wicket.
At 31.3, Tucker flicked one onto the off side, picked up a single and ran in elation. Andrew Balbirnie picked up his second half century v Afghanistan and fourth overall.
Matt Adair was adjudged the Man of the Match. Adair also pushed McBrine to be Cricket Ireland’s top wicket taker with 18 wickets from 9 innings.
The Irish, having played only their eighth test have registered themselves in the history books. Cricket Ireland played their first-ever Test versus Pakistan five years ago. They have played two tests against Afghanistan, England and Sri Lanka. They have also played Bangladesh once.
The small cricketing nation faced a lot of issues in the past, mainly the failure to retain players. Since Test status, Ireland has come a long way – winning Test matches and no player have left the squad.
