Published: Mar 29, 2017, 07:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 29, 2017, 07:33 PM (IST)
Ireland posted 170 for 7 against Afghanistan at stumps on Day Two of the Four-Day ICC Intercontinental Cup match. Playing at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground on Wednesday, Ireland lost William Porterfield early but Ed Joyce and Andy Balbirnie made sure the team did not lose any more wicket going into the tea break. However, they lost 6 wickets in the final session which sent them on backfoot at stumps. John Anderson (10*) and Andy McBrine (0*) will resume batting on Day Three. FULL CRICKET UPDATES: Afghanistan vs Ireland, Day 2
The pressure of replying to a big total was already there on Ireland, who let Afghanistan, a batting-heavy side, score 537 for 8 declared.. With a mountain to climb, Ireland needed Porterfield to play a big knock. However, the batsman was removed within three overs of the innings by Mohammad Nabi. It was a full-length ball outside off-stump which Porterfield tried to defend, ending up getting his pad on it in the line of off-stump. Balbirnie changed the course of the game and started off aggressively.
Joyce, who was batting with composure earlier, took the cue and got comfortable to hit fours and sixes. The two batsmen kept Ireland in hunt at tea as they put up 67 for 1 at the end of second session.
The final session belonged entirely to Afghanistan bowlers who, after getting hammered by the Joyce-Balbirnie duo, got back at them with flawless bowling. Zahir Khan broke the partnership. Balbirnie fell for 62, edging one to short-leg. Joyce followed him the next over for 45, getting out for lbw off a Rashid Khan delivery.
Rashid Khan did not let the middle order score post Joyce’s wicket as he kept on picking wickets in regular intervals. Only Niall O’Brien (17) and Anderson (10*) managed to get to double-digit scores. While Garry Wilson departed for 4, both George Dockrell and Paul Stirling fell for respective ducks. Rashid ended day with a 5-for and successfully reduced Ireland to 170 for 7, bringing Afghanistan back on top of the game.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 537 for 8 decl. (Mohammad Shahzad 85, Rahmat Shah 46, Asghar Stanikzai 145, Nasir Jamal 73, Afsar Zazai 103*; George Dockrell 3 for 160, Andy McBrine 2 for 98, John Anderson 2 for 92) lead Ireland 170 for 7 (Ed Joyce 45, Andy Balbirnie 62; Rashid Khan 5 for 54) by 367 runs.
