Eire places itself in a powerful place to say its first Check victory on the eighth try regardless of a late fightback from Afghanistan on day two of its one-off Check in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Resuming its first innings on 100-4, 55 runs behind Afghanistan’s opening effort, Eire’s center and decrease order dragged to 263 all out and a 108-run lead.
When Afghanistan was lowered to 38-2 a two-day end appeared attainable, however regardless of shedding Noor Ali Zadran for 32, an unbroken 41-run stand between captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz took the nominal host to 134-3.
“There was stress however I saved it calm and easy… As a result of as a captain it’s a must to lead by instance,” Shahidi mentioned after ending the day 53 not out, his second Check fifty.
“Final two Checks my efficiency was not good however in the present day I felt good… Tomorrow is a giant day for us. We have now to win the primary session to be within the combine.”
Any first-innings lead for Eire appeared a approach off when Harry Tector was dismissed by Naveed Zadran to depart them 106-5.
However Paul Stirling made 52, placing on 80 runs with wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker, who later fell to Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar for 46.
A helpful 38, although, from Andy McBrine, who was final man out, put Eire in a powerful place.
Left-arm spinner Akbar completed with 5-64 from his 30 overs.
Irish seamer Mark Adair adopted up his first-innings five-wicket haul by taking the essential wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah.
Ibrahim Zadran was brilliantly taken within the gully by Peter Moor earlier than Shah nicked behind to Tucker.
Noor Ali Zadran and Shahidi rebuilt steadily earlier than the veteran opener was bounced out by Barry McCarthy.
However Rahmanullah, making his Check debut, counter-attacked, hitting two sixes in his unbeaten 23.
Afghanistan, who like Eire performed its first Check in 2018, shall be hopeful of notching the fourth victory within the format if it could set the customer a testing run chase on a pitch already displaying indicators of great flip.