Ireland claim first ever test victory with six-wicket win over Afghanistan

Ireland won their first test by six wickets against Afghanistan in a one-off match in Abu Dhabi on Friday, with skipper Andy Balbirnie leading the run chase with an unbeaten half-century.

Ireland, who gained test status alongside Afghanistan in 2017, had lost seven consecutive matches before defeating the Asian side in a low-scoring affair that lasted three days.

"A lot of our guys didn't get to play test cricket. Hopefully people back home want to be test cricketers. We knew it would be attritional stuff," Balbirnie said.

"There's a lot of cricket in the world... We've created results, and created history. The monkey is off our back, very special to do that."

After dismissing Afghanistan for 155 in the first innings, where seamer Mark Adair took five wickets (5-39), Paul Stirling (52) led Ireland to a total of 263 and a 108-run advantage.

Adair picked up three more wickets to clean up the top order in the second innings, but Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (55) helped them post 218 and set Ireland a modest target of 111 runs to win.

Ireland were in deep trouble at 13-3 when Naveed Zadran dismissed Peter Moor and Curtis Campher for ducks in the second over, but Balbirnie led from the front with an unbeaten 58.

Lorcan Tucker also came in and steadied the ship (27 not out) as they patiently stitched together a 72-run partnership before Tucker hit the winning runs for a historic victory.

"I'm buzzing. Obviously very nice to get a win. Absolutely chuffed," said Adair, who was named player of the match.

"Test cricket is pretty difficult. I think we've got a really good bowling group. In the last year, we've played a lot of cricket."

SportsLigue