Afghanistan win first-ever Test match over Ireland

An Afghan team spoiled the Irish team's Saint Patrick's Day party as the Asian side won their first-ever cricket test match in the Indian city of Dehradun on Monday.

The Afghans, playing only their second-ever test match after being promoted to the five-day match level, notched up a memorable seven-wicket win against the Irish side, who were also playing their second-ever test match, in the neutral venue in India.

Rahmat Shah's second 50 of the match helped his side secure their magnificent win as Afghanistan were chasing 147 for the victory.

Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah plays a shot of Ireland's Tim Murtagh during the second day of the cricket test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, north India, March 16, 2019. /VCG Photo

A 139-run partnership between Shah and Ihsanullah Janat laid the foundation for the Afghans' first test victory since they lost their debut test against India nine months ago.

Although Shah failed two short of becoming Afghanistan's first-ever test centurion in their first innings, he smashed a match-winning 76 in the second innings while Janat remained unbeaten on 65.

However, as they were set for a comfortable win, Afghanistan lost Shah and Mohammad Nabi to back-to-back deliveries in a James Cameron-Dow over. But Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the winning boundary for the Asian side to trigger celebrations in the Afghan dressing room.

After his side's remarkable win, Afghan skipper and ace batsman Asghar Afghan, who made 67 in the first innings said, "It's a historic day for Afghanistan, for our team and our people."

Afghanistan's Yamin Ahmadzai (C) celebrates after dismissing Ireland's Paul Stirling on the first day of a test match against Ireland in Dehradun, north India, March 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

Earlier, Ireland were bowled out for 172 in the first innings as Afghanistan replied with a total of 314 all out to gain a healthy first innings lead at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. Andrew Balbirnie's 82 helped the Irish put together 288 in the second innings as star Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan's bagged five wickets to restrict the Irish side.

Incidentally, both Ireland and Afghanistan were awarded a full member test-playing nation status in 2017.

The Irish team was crushed to a home defeat in their debut test Pakistan in May last year, while Afghanistan tasted their inaugural test loss against India a month later.

"We have been playing for a while, we have been playing first-class cricket, so we have that composure. The bowlers were very good, Rashid (Khan), Yamin (Ahmadzai). Now we're going to South Africa for World Cup preparation. We will try our best to play good cricket," he added.