LONDON – Ireland are just seven wickets away from a dream victory in debutTest against Pakistan at Malahide with the visitors reeling at 27 for 3 inchase of 160 on Tuesday.
Azhar Ali was the first man to go after scoring just two runs. He wascaught in the slips by Paul Stirling in the first over of the innings byTim Murtagh.
Harris Sohail was caught in the gully after scoring seven, followed soonafter by the experienced Asad Shafiq who was bowled by Murtagh. DebutantImamul Haq was joined Babar Azam after Shafiq fell.
Shrugging off their first innings scare, Ireland set Pakistan a victorytarget of 160 after getting bowled out for 339 just over half an hour intothe final day of their one-off Test match.ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
They had been forced to follow on by Pakistan after being bowled out forjust 130 in the first innings.
Kevin O’Brien failed to add any runs to his overnight score of 118 beforeswinging at a wide delivery from Mohammad Abbas and edging to first slip.It was the first ball he faced.
Abbas also took the wickets of Boyd Rankin (6) and Tyrone Kane (14), whowere both bowled, to finish with figures of 5-66. He had nine wickets forthe match.
Asked to follow on, Ireland had resumed on 319-7.
The Irish are playing their inaugural test match in the longest formatafter being awarded test status last June.