On this day in 2018 – Ireland play in their first-ever Test match
11th May 2018 is a date that will forever be etched in golden letters in Ireland’s cricket history. For, it was on this date that the Ireland cricket team took the field for the first time in Test match cricket, against Pakistan.
Ireland produced a decent performance in their first Test match against the Pakistan side. Even though they lost their first Test match, Ireland showed the spirit to fight and did not go down meekly. Ireland won the toss and decided to field first. And, the Pakistan side scored 310/9 in their first innings.
Ireland captain @purdy34 has paid tribute to all previous generations of Irish cricketers who have paved the way for them to play their first men’s Test match #IREvPAK pic.twitter.com/3zjZufXng3
— ICC (@ICC) May 9, 2018
Asad Shafiq, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf scored half-centuries for the Pakistan side. For the Irish side, Tim Murtagh was the pick of the bowlers and scalped 4 wickets. In reply, the Irish batting lineup produced a disappointing performance with the willow. The William Porterfield-led side was bowled out for a total of just 130, as Mohammad Abas ripped through their batting lineup, and scalped 4 wickets.
Ireland was asked to follow on, and many would have thought that they would surrender to Pakistan meekly. But then, Ireland displayed courage and produced a good performance with the willow in the second essay. Not only did they avoid an innings defeat, but they also scored 339 and set Pakistan a target of 160 for victory.
Kevin O’Brien scored a century for Ireland in the second innings. The Pakistan side was in a spot of bother in the second innings, as they were left teetering at 14/3. But then, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam scored timely half-centuries as Pakistan coasted past the target of 160 with 5 wickets to spare. Tim Murtagh was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings too and scalped 2 wickets.
Kevin O’Brien was awarded the Player of the Match award. Ireland has played two more Test matches after that. In March 2019, they squared off against Afghanistan, where they lost by 7 wickets. And then, in July 2019, they clashed against England and went down to the England side by 143 runs.
