Eire claimed their first Take a look at victory once they beat fellow minnows Afghanistan by six wickets in a one-off match in Abu Dhabi.
Skipper Andy Balbirnie took cost within the run chase on Friday with an unbeaten half-century to information his facet to their historic win.
Eire, who acquired Take a look at standing together with Afghanistan in 2017, had misplaced seven straight matches earlier than they ultimately beat the Asian facet in a low-scoring affair that completed inside three days.
“Lots of our guys didn’t get to play Take a look at cricket. Hopefully, folks again dwelling need to be Take a look at cricketers. We knew it will be attritional stuff,” Balbirnie stated.
“There’s lots of cricket on the earth … We’ve created outcomes, and created historical past. The monkey is off our again, very particular to try this.”
After dismissing Afghanistan for 155 within the first innings when seamer Mark Adair picked up 5 wickets (5-39), Paul Stirling (52) helped information Eire to a complete of 263 to offer them a 108-run lead.
Adair picked up three extra wickets to wash up the highest order within the second innings however Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (55) helped them publish 218 to offer Eire a modest goal of 111 to win.
Eire discovered themselves in serious trouble at 3-13 when Naveed Zadran dismissed Peter Moor and Curtis Campher for geese within the second over, however Balbirnie led from the entrance with an unbeaten knock of 58.
Lorcan Tucker additionally got here in and steadied the ship (27 not out) as they patiently stitched collectively a 72-run partnership earlier than Tucker hit the successful runs for a well-known victory.
“I’m buzzing. Clearly very good to get a win. Completely happy,” stated Adair, who was named participant of the match.
“Take a look at cricket is fairly tough. I believe we’ve received a extremely good bowling group. Within the final yr, we’ve performed lots of cricket.”
© AAP
