DEHRADUN, India — Three half-centuries by top-order batsmen earned Afghanistan a vital 142-run first innings lead and control of the one-off test against Ireland on Saturday. Ireland lost captain William Porterfield for zero during a tricky last hour of play on the second day before reaching 22-1 at stumps. Afghanistan was eyeing a much bigger lead before Ireland hit back and claimed the last five wickets for 87 runs in the last session. Both teams are competing in only their second test match since gaining test status in 2017. Last year, Afghanistan lost its debut test against India, and Ireland was beaten by Pakistan in its inaugural test.

Source: National Post March 16, 2019 07:03 UTC