One-off Test, Day 1: Bowlers hand Afghanistan big advantage vs Ireland
Paceman Yamin Ahmadzai and off-spinner Mohammed Nabi took three wickets each to rattle the opposition batting after Ireland elected to bat first.[/caption] Afghanistan bowlers had their say on the opening day of the one-off Test against Ireland at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Dehradun, bowling out Ireland for 172, before the batsmen ended the day at a healthy 90/2 on Friday. Number 11 Tim Murtagh hit a defiant half-century to lift Ireland after Afghanistan spinners wreaked havoc. Murtagh, who remained unbeaten at 54, and George Dockrell, who made 39, put together an 87-run 10th-wicket stand to give Ireland a respectable outcome after they were left reeling at 85-9. Paceman Yamin Ahmadzai and off-spinner Mohammed Nabi took three wickets each to rattle the opposition batting after Ireland elected to bat first. Opener Paul Stirling gave the team a brisk start with his 26 but Ireland's batting collapsed to 69-7 at lunch. Nabi combined with wrist spinners Rashid Khan and Waqar Salamkheil -- who took two wickets each -- to run through Ireland's top and middle order. But Murtagh, a right-arm fast bowler who bats left-handed, registered his 11th first-class fifty to get a standing ovation from the Afghanistan dressing room. In reply, Afghanistan opener Mohammad Shahzad made a quick-fire 40 off 64 balls. Afghanistan lost opener Ihsanullah for seven to spinner James Cameron-Dow in the 13th over but Shehzad and Rahmat Shah took Afghanistan past the 50-run mark. Cameron-Dow had his second victim of the day when Shahzad hit one straight back at the bowler. Shah (22*) and experienced Hashmatullah Shahidi (13*) then saw off the day without any trouble. Ireland had won the toss and opted to bat as the handed out debuts for five players - James McCollum, Stuart Poynter, Dockrell, Andy McBrine and Cameron-Dow. Afghanistan fielded three debutants - Ihsanullah, wicketkeeper Ikram Ali Khil and spinner Salamkheil. Both sides are playing their second Test after making their five-day debut last year. Brief Scores: Afghanistan 90/2 (Mohammad Shahzad 40; James Cameron-Dow 2/35) trail Ireland 172 (Tim Murtagh 51, George Dockrell 39; Mohammad Nabi 3/36)