LONDON – Pakistan debutant Imam-ul-Haq maiden test half century has savedPakistan from big embarrassment.

He was doing his best to deny Ireland victory in their maiden Test as adramatic match at Malahide headed towards a thrilling conclusion on Tuesday.

Pakistan collapsed to 14 for three in pursuit of a seemingly modest victorytarget of 160 on the fifth and final day in a match where they had madeIreland follow on.

But at lunch Pakistan were 52 for three, still needing a further 108 runsto win, with left-handed opener Imam — the nephew of selection chief andformer Pakistan batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq — 33 not out and Babar Azam ninenot out.

Just four balls into their chase, Pakistan saw experienced opener Azhar Aliedge Tim Murtagh to Paul Stirling at first slip.

Haris Sohail (seven) fell next, well taken in the gully by Ed Joyce offtowering fast bowler Boyd Rankin as Ireland s two former Englandinternationals combined.

The umpires checked for a no-ball but Rankin had bowled a legal delivery,albeit only just.

And 13 for two became 14 for three in 4.3 overs when Middlesex pacemanMurtagh produced a superb delivery to bowl Asad Shafiq between bat and padfor one.

But the 22-year-old Imam, who bats in spectacles, showed a maturity beyondmany of his more experienced top-order colleagues.

He struck two fine fours off Stuart Thompson, a square cut followed by asquare drive.

Murtagh took two for 27 in an unchanged nine-over spell.

Earlier, Ireland were dismissed for 339 in their second innings.

Kevin O Brien, who on Monday became the first Ireland batsman to score aTest hundred, fell to his first ball Tuesday as Mohammad Abbas had himcaught by Haris at slip for 118.

Ireland had been in danger of an innings defeat at 95 for four but aseventh-wicket partnership of 114 between O Brien and Thompson (53) turnedthe tide.

The Irish, resuming on 319 for seven, lost their last three wickets for 20runs on Tuesday.

Abbas did all the damage in a burst of three wickets for 12 runs in 22balls, the paceman finishing with innings figures of five for 66 in 28.3overs.

Only three sides in the 141-year history of Test cricket have won afterbeing made to follow on and only one men s team — Australia in theinaugural Test against England at Melbourne in 1877 — have enjoyed avictory in their debut match at this level.

Ireland were facing an innings defeat when O Brien came in at 95 for fourbut, ably assisted by Thompson, who made 53, he turned the tide during aseventh-wicket partnership of 114.

Mohammad Amir, who had been struggling with a longstanding knee injurywhile taking his 100th Test wicket on Monday, opened the bowling on Tuesday.

But after Tyrone Kane had seen out the opening over, O Brien fell to hisfirst ball of the day when, going down on on to attempt a slashing driveoff a wide half-volley from Abbas, he was held by Haris.

A crestfallen O Brien bowed his head in frustration and dropped his bat ashe trudged off the field.

But the 34-year-old had every reason to be proud of an innings that spannedfive hours, 44 minutes and saw him face 217 balls with 12 fours.

Abbas had Rankin, trying to leave, playing on before bowling Kane to endthe innings. – APP/AFP