Afghanistan were bowled out for 155 runs in the first innings. In response, Afghanistan did not allow Ireland to advance too far. Orthodox bowler Ziaur Rahman’s first Fifer in Test career, the Irish stopped at 263 runs. Then the lead of 108 runs of the hosts.
Ireland resumed batting on the second day with 4 wickets for 100 runs at Tolerance Oval on Thursday. Curtis Champer returned with the regret of not getting a fifty for 1 run (64 balls 49) the previous day, but Paul Sterling scored a fifty today.
Sterling played an innings of 52 runs off 89 balls. This Irish batter returned to the court after being bowled by Zaheer Khan. Lorcan Tucker also returned with regrets. He conceded 4 runs in his fifty runs. He scored 46 runs off 105 balls and was caught by Rahmat Shah off Ziaur Rahman.
Besides, Andy McBreen scored 38 runs off 74 balls. Mark Adair took 15 runs off 20 balls. Zia took 5 wickets for Afghanistan at the cost of 64 runs.
Going into bat in the second innings with a lead of 106 runs was a burden for the Afghans. Because he could not do well in the first innings. However, despite playing badly in the first innings, Afghanistan is trying to turn around.
After losing two wickets for 38 runs in this innings, the Afghans advanced well with a pair of third and fourth wickets. Hasmatullah Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s unbeaten 41-run partnership is leading the visitors.
Shahidi has scored fifty. He is unbeaten with 53 runs off 92 balls. Gurbaz is at the other end with 23 runs from 28 balls.
Before that, opener Ibrahim Zadran (12 off 21), Noor Ali Zadran (32 off 72) and Rahmat Shah (9 off 9) returned to the dressing room. Afghanistan ended the second day’s play trailing by 26 runs. At the end of the day, the Afghans collected 134 runs for 3 wickets in 37 overs.
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