Ireland vs Pakistan Only Test Day 2: Ireland picked up six wickets on day two. (Source: AP)
Ireland vs Pakistan Only Test Day 2: Ireland’s maiden men’s Test match against Pakistan finally got underway in Dublin with Pakistan batting first. Ireland were right on top after two sessions having picked up four wickets in the second and five overall. But Pakistan fought back with Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan scored half-centuries and saved Pakistan from being bowled out for a low total. The first day of the Test was washed out due to rain. The play on second day was also stopped early due to bad light.
Pakistan face Ireland in their iconic first Test. (Source: AP)
Highlights
Faheem and Shadab have put 109 runs for the seventh wicket. A punishing session this for Ireland and they would be happy to regroup at this point.
Faheem Ashraf reaches 50 off 52 balls. He and Shadab, who is on 48 have now put up a partnership of 94 runs and have led a Pakistan fight back in this third session. It does look like they can survive the day and if that happens, Irealand will have a bit of a mountain to climb during the first ever Irish innings in Test cricket.
An overthrow and a couple of fours and the partnership between Faheem and Shadab has now crossed the 50-run mark. A good period of play for Pakistan.
Shadab and Ashraf played a few shots in the last half hour of the session to help Pakistan nibble some bits of that second session. But it has otherwise been all Ireland so far and they would love to get Pakistan out below 250. But don't let that score deceive you. The ball has been doing a lot so far and Ireland will do better than underestimating Mohammad Amir and co. in these conditions.
Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan are in the middle. Pakistan are now looking to score as many as they can and Shadab has scored some quick runs. He has made 15 off 29 balls and his innings has included two fours.
Caught at slips yet again, this time it is the captain and a very poor way to get out too. Pitched short and Sarfraz simply assists it to the slips. The Pakistan has pretty much thrown his wicket away there.
Yet again, just as a batsman looks set, he gets dismissed, Ireland clamping down now. Short ball, Asad Shafiq pulls and sends it straight to square leg. Pakistan are in a bit of sticky situation here.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq are in the middle. Shafiq is on 62, having made his 18th Test fifty and the two are providing some much needed stability to the Pakistan innings. Ireland pacers are just charging in.
Babar seemed to be mulling a review but then decides to walk. Murtagh pitches this one up on the of stump, Babar tries to close it down and ends up getting an outside edge to second slip. Just as Babaz was starting to look set, Murtagh snuffles him. This is turning into a good session for Ireland.
Murtagh is generating prodigious swing now and the Pakistan batsmen do well to hold on. Boyd Rankin has been brought back into the attack. He was the man who took the first wicket in Ireland's Test history by dismissing Azhar Ali earlier in the day.
First Test wicket Stuart Thompson, that is as typical a Test dismissal as it gets. Pitched a bit outside off and veering away, Sohail has a poke at it, outside edge and Potterfield does well to take the catch at gully.
Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq go unbeaten at the end of first session. They have resisted well against Ireland bowling line up who looked to trouble them earlier in the innings. Pakistan are 67/2 after the first session
24 overs have been bowled and Pakistan are 52/2 with Asad Shafiq and Haris Sohail at the crease. This is a vital partnership for them because they lost early wickets. The two have applied themselves well and are now looking comfortable at the crease
Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq have stitched a good stand here. Pakistan were 13/2 with bot the openers back in the hut but these two are looking good. They should take their time and get Pakistan back in the hunt
Ireland bowlers have started in a brilliant fashion scalping acouple of wickets in the start of the game. Pakistan have a good batting line up but they need a partmership to get back into the game
And this match is ON! Tim Murtagh strikes in the very first ball of the next over as he dismisses Imam-ul-Haq for 7. Huge appeal for LBW, and the umpire was convinved. No reviews taken. Ireland have two in two! OUT, massive appeal, and Ireland have two in two! PAK 13/2
WICKET! BOYD RANKIN BECOMES FIRST IRISH BOWLER TO GET A TEST WICKET! What a deliver from Rankin, Azhar Ali was stunned with the pace and the bounce and gets an edge, as it went to the skipper William Porterfield at slips. Huge moment for Ireland, this and they are enjoying this! PAK 13/1
The rain gods have been kind today in Durban and it is shining brightly at the moment. The weather seems perfect at the moment and it seems the fans are enjoying it!
Murtagh smashed by Imam-ul-Haq on the off-side as he made his first error in the match. The Irish seamer bowled it a little fuller and wide, and paid in plenty as the left-handed batsman smashed it to covers. First boundary in the match.
Imam-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali have come out to open the innings for Pakistan. Ireland have Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin on attack. This is as exciting as it can be.
Ireland and Pakistan players come out on the field for the National Anthem. What a moment this is for the Irish fans as they see their side playing the longest format for the first time. It is a crucial Test match for Ireland, but they look determined to the task.
Here are the playing XI for Pakistan in the all-important Test match:
Pakistan (Playing XI): Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Rahat Ali
Here are the playing Xi for Ireland in their historic first Test
Ireland (Playing XI): William Porterfield(c), Ed Joyce, Andrew Balbirnie, Niall O Brien(w), Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson, Kevin O Brien, Stuart Thompson, Tyrone Kane, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Ranki
The weather conditions look good to play and it is expected to stay clear for the next four days. It will be a cracking Test match on offer.
Ireland have won the toss in their first ever Test match against Pakistan and they have elected to bowl first. It is a historic encounter for them and the Irish are looking to make the best of the conditions.
Welcome to our Live blog on the second day of the Only Test between Ireland and Pakistan. The first day was washed up by rain but it did little to dampen the spirits of the fans who stayed throughout hoping to get a little bit of cricketing action. Now it is time for Day 2, and the fans will be hoping for some game time. Time to pull up the stocks.