Pakistan grills Ireland in historic debut test
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DUBLIN: Ireland were bowled out for 130 in reply to Pakistan´s first innings 310 for nine declared -- a deficit of 180 runs -- as they failed to avoid a follow-on on the third day of their inaugural men´s Test at Malahide on Sunday.
At seven for four, Ireland were in an even worse position before Kevin O´Brien made 40.
Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan´s attack with four wickets for 44 runs, followed by Shadab Khan who took three wickets for 31 runs.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed´s well-timed declaration left Ireland with a tricky 30 minutes to bat before lunch and that was long enough for the hosts to lose a trio of top-order batsmen in 6.1 overs.
Veteran opener Ed Joyce was lbw to Mohammad Abbas for four before fellow opener Andrew Balbirnie, who might have been run out for a duck, was lbw to the paceman for nought.
Former England one-day international Joyce, arguably Ireland´s greatest batsman and at 39 the oldest Test debutant since Australia´s Bryce McGain made his bow aged 36 in 2009, appeared to be a victim of the fact the Decision Review System was not being used in this match because Cricket Ireland had decided they could not afford the cost for a one-off game.
But while replays suggested the ball that did for left-hander Joyce may have pitched outside the line, there was little doubt about the delivery that dismissed Balbirnie, who had previously had to scramble back to avoid being run out by Asad Shafiq´s direct hit from short leg.
Then, with what became the last ball before lunch, Ireland captain William Porterfield fell for one when left-arm quick Mohammad Amir uprooted his off-stump.
Abbas then had NJ O'Brien lbwed on duck, and Faheem Ashraf removed Stirling for 17.
Shadab Khan then removed Thompson and Kane in the same over to leave Ireland struggling to survive a follow-on.
Earlier, Test debutant Faheem Ashraf top-scored for Pakistan with 83 and together with Shadab Khan (55) put on 117 for the seventh wicket.
