| One-off Test, Abu Dhabi |
| Afghanistan 155 I Zadran 53; Adair 5-39 & 218 Hashmatullah 55; Young 3-24 |
| Ireland 263 Stirling 52; Akbar 5-64 & 111-4 Balbirnie 58*; N Zadran 2-30 |
| Ireland won by six wickets |
| Scorecard |
Ireland earned their first men’s Test victory at the eighth attempt by beating Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in their second innings to leave Ireland with a victory target of 111.
The Irish were wobbling on 39-4 before captain Andrew Balbirnie steered his side home with an unbeaten 58.
Claiming a maiden five-day win after gaining Test status in 2017 is a landmark day for Irish men’s cricket.
Ireland made 263 in reply to Afghanistan’s 155 to hold a first-innings lead of 108 at the Tolerance Oval.
Afghanistan started day three on 134-3 with a 26-run advantage but an in-form Ireland attack bowled them out for 218 with Craig Young, Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy each taking three wickets.
It was a small target for Ireland but two wickets in two balls from Naveed Zadran left them 8-2 before Harry Tector also fell for the addition of just five runs.
Paul Stirling made 14 after joining former opening partner Balbirnie and they put on 36 runs for the fourth wicket.
Lorcan Tucker arrived at the middle with Ireland in trouble but he impressed with an unbeaten 27 while Balbirnie carried his bat to seal an historic victory.
Ireland’s women’s team registered a victory in their only Test in 2000 and now the men have made the breakthrough 24 years later.
The men’s team started their Test journey against Pakistan six years ago and had lost all of their previous seven matches.
“To win our first Test match – we absolutely ecstatic,” said Balbirnie.
“We started the Test match really well having lost the toss and the bowling was really disciplined – we showed again in the second innings the way we bowled our lengths when it got a bit flatter for the batters against our seamers.
“To take 20 wickets in any Test match is a big achievement and it’s only the second time we’ve done it so it’s pretty special.
“With a score like 13-3 you’re one partnership away. When Lorcan came in, the more time we spent out there the easier it got although there’s obviously a bit of nerves when you’re chasing a first Test win. Bit I knew if I stayed in there for long I could see us home.
“It’s right up there (in the history of Irish cricket) – for me I’ve played a lot of cricket for Ireland but certainly that’s as big a moment for me.
“A lot of players before us didn’t get a chance to play Test cricket so fortunately we’re part of that history now. We- got to play and got to win.”
