LAST UPDATE | 15 May 2018
Ryan Bailey reports from Malahide
ALAS, A GAP too wide to bridge, but Ireland heroically and stoically played their part in a gripping Test match which ebbed and flowed and was still very much in the balance deep into the fifth day, before Pakistan retained their composure to maintain status quo.
There was to be no fairytale ending to a gloriously fulfilling week in Malahide during which Irish cricket scaled new heights, but — again — this was a performance of immense character and courage, right up until the death as they pushed Pakistan all the way.
For a frenetic half an hour before lunch, Ireland dared to dream as they tucked into the Pakistan top-order, reducing the visitors to 14 for three, but Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam took the game away from the hosts with a fourth-wicket stand of 126.
Emboldened by Kevin O’Brien’s history-making century yesterday evening, Ireland looked to put further pressure on Pakistan with the bat but, in a huge blow to their hopes, lost O’Brien to his first ball of the day.
Tyrone Kane, Boyd Rankin and Tim Murtagh briefly provided tail-end resistance, but Mohammed Abbas wasted little time in cleaning the innings up to complete his five-wicket haul, and finish with match figures of 9-110.
Abbas did all the damage as Ireland lost their final three wickets for just 20 runs, setting Pakistan a target of 160 to win, and a fiery opening spell from Murtagh and Rankin fuelled belief that the improbable was not impossible after all.
Only three sides in the 141-year history of Test cricket have won after being made to follow on and only one men’s team — Australia in the inaugural Test against England at Melbourne in 1877 — have enjoyed a victory in their debut match at this level.
But Ireland were quickly into the task and, backed by vocal fifth day crowd, had Pakistan in disarray, leaving their head coach Mickey Arthur to hold his head in his hands as he watched his side lose three early wickets.
Just four balls into the chase, Azhar Ali stepped down the pitch in a bid to negate the new-ball movement but could only edge Murtagh to Paul Stirling at first slip. Game on.
And Ireland scented a famous victory when Rankin found the outside edge of Haris Sohail, with Ed Joyce taking a superb low catch at gully, and Asad Shafiq had his off-stump uprooted by a Murtagh delivery which nipped back through the gate.
Ireland’s tails were up, but 22-year-old Ul-Haq showed maturity beyond his years to drop anchor and take the sting out of the Irish onslaught, as he punched two boundaries through point and cover off Stuart Thompson to ease the pressure.
Ul-Haq was there at the end to see his side over the line, but not without a late rally from Ireland as Azam was run out for 59 and Thompson further augmented his impressive Test performance by trapping Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed in front.
A hugely commendable display by Ireland on Test debut and while several senior players, including Ed Joyce, are expected to now retire, this landmark week has provided enough reasons to be cheerful for the future.
Ireland are a Test nation, and are fully deserving of their seat at the top table. Onwards and very much upwards.
Test match, day five, close:
Pakistan: 310/9 dec (Faheem Ashraf 83, Asad Shafiq 62, Shadab Khan 55; T Murtagh 4-45, S Thompson 3-62)
Ireland: 130 all out (Mohammad Abbas 4-44, Shadab Khan 3-31)
Ireland (second innings): 339 all out (K O’Brien 118, S Thompson 53)
Pakistan (second innings): 160/5 (17 overs) (Imam-ul-Haq 74*, T Murtagh 4-45)
Pakistan win by five wickets.
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Well seeing as they last won the english leauge some 28 years ago and have a tendency to sell there best strikers, why wouldn’t I think that,
@Jonathan Byrne:
I have never seen so much hype about a team who have won nothing ,are 20 points off winning their league, have again sold their best player mid season , and who all other teams in the last 4 of a cup competition wanted desperately to draw. No league title for nearly 30 years and just one 1 trophy in ten years same as the likes of Wigan. Am i missing something ??
@Joe O’riordan: missing nothing absolutely spot on
@Joe O’riordan: Missing something? Don’t think so, unless its your MU jersey and scarf.
@Joe O’riordan: Coutinho their best player? Liverpool are better without him
@Joe O’riordan: Liverpool didn’t sell Salah mid season?
Who knows next year might be there year they win the premier league…….. Pfffft. Salah will playing for real Madrid next aswell.
@Jonathan Byrne: best of luck with that
@Jonathan Byrne: haha nice try, at least the pool have a player that Real or Barca would want!
@Jonathan Byrne: Jeez those grapes are very sour…
@Jonathan Byrne: “Somebody please give me attention” – The Comment
@seancreaven13: I’m just laying down some facts, fair play to getting to the semis of the champions leauge this year, but I don’t think its sour grapes if what I say is true.
But but but didn’t they win the finishing above Utd trophy last year !!!
@powerfix: doesn’t carry the same prestige anymore.
@Mick Power: ou snap!
@Mick Power: aah you know it does Mick
@Carl Johnson: ou Marcus!
Well what seems to be emerging now is defending is much better, there was no evidence until now. If they can keep best players, add GK/defensive cover and with Keita coming in they will make PL challenge. I was surprised MU slipped yesterday, it seems they struggle more than LFC in breaking defensives down. With JM near 3 years he has to challenge next year but somehow I don’t see it. Yes they defend well but have ordinary attack.
For me the top 3 teams next year will be MC, Tot & LFC. MU should be there but JM would need dynamic players and changes his approach. I don’t see that happening. If they back him in transfer market he’ll get a final go using his methods. While he maintains its not that long ago he won PL I think football is now being dominated by more attacking dynamic teams.
@Nick Leone: so coming to the end of your second season is near 3 years ???? Pass the dutchie round will ya