Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Hey ICC, how good is it to see teams like Ireland do well?
It’s time these nations get the opportunities they deserve, as well as getting rid of the 10-team World Cup after next year.
Anyway, we were treated to an excellent Test match, Ireland’s first ever in men’s cricket. Their effort in fighting back into the Test after following on, and then being right in with a chance of winning on the final day was excellent. Credit to Pakistan for holding their nerve, and picking up an important win, ahead of the England Tests.
So, who were the best performing players? Have a look at my player ratings out of 10 for each player, and you’re more than welcome to share your views, too!
Ireland Player Ratings:
Ed Joyce: There aren’t many players more deserving a Test debut than Ed Joyce, who must have been resigned to the fact he could never play a Test. His second innings effort of 43 gave Ireland a promising second innings star. Also took a superb second innings catch to dismiss Haris Sohail and give Ireland a sniff. 6
William Porterfield: Led Ireland very well throughout this Test, and also dug in well in the second innings to give Ireland a good start. Would have liked more runs, but a promising performance nonetheless. 4
Andy Balbirnie: Tough Test for Balbirnie, who bagged a pair, and dropped a crucial catch on the fifth day with Pakistan 60/3 chasing 160. 0
Niall O’Brien: One of Ireland’s key players ahead of the Test, but didn’t make much of an impact with the bat, scoring 0 and 18. Was good with the gloves behind the stumps, and nice and chirpy too. 3
Paul Stirling: Looked really good in the first innings before getting out to a shocking shot. Two double-digit scores, but would have liked more. 3
Kevin O’Brien: Deservedly Man of the Match. What a performance from KOB, playing another memorable innings for Ireland, hitting 118 in the second innings to give his team a chance of victory. This was in addition to 40 in the first innings, scoring nearly a third of his team’s total. 10
|
| What a knock it was under pressure by Kevin O’Brien |
Gary Wilson: Helped get Ireland past the 100 mark in the first innings with a solid 33* amid the carnage. 6
Stuart Thompson: Superb effort from Thompson in this Test, taking four wickets and hitting a second innings half century. He was so persistent with ball and bat, and it took an incredible ball from Shadab Khan to end his second innings effort. 8
Tyrone Kane: One of Ireland’s up and coming cricketers, who should not be too discouraged despite not taking a wicket. He looked better in his six second innings overs, after a fighting knock with the bat to keep Pakistan at bay. 3
Boyd Rankin: The only member of the team who played a Test before this one. Fought with the bat but was expensive with the ball. You would have been forgiven for wanting more from Boyd. 5
Tim Murtagh: The man with over 700 first class wickets, and what a Test debut he had. He was at the Pakistan batsmen all the time, nipping out wickets with beautiful swing and seam bowling. Six wickets for the Test, and ran in tirelessly for Ireland as they were right in with a chance of winning. 9
Pakistan Player Ratings:
Azhar Ali: The poor form from the tour matches continued for Azhar, with six runs across two innings in Dublin. This is a concern for Pakistan, as he is a key player for the England Tests. 1
Imam-ul-Haq: Superb effort in guiding Pakistan home in his debut Test. His unbeaten 74 in the second innings is very promising, considering it was made under pressure. 8
Haris Sohail: Start in the first innings – held the innings together for a little while after a tough start for Pakistan. Out to a loose shot second time around. More expected from a key player in England. 5
Asad Shafiq: Solid 62 in the first innings, but gave his wicket away. Then, a loose drive in the second innings to get bowled through the gate. Enough positives to take from this game, but in England, he needs to make better use of his good form. 6
Babar Azam: Has struggled in Test cricket to date, but that second innings fifty under pressure could be a big confidence boost. Was helped by a dropped catch when Pakistan were 60/3, but still played well. 6
Sarfraz Ahmed: Would have been a nervy day four and five for the Pakistan captain, but his team got home in the end. Not much for him to write home about with the bat, though. 3
Shadab Khan: Superb performance from the 19 year old. He has big shoes to fill with Yasir Shah out injured, and he delivered in this Test. A half century and four wickets represents a great return in seamer-friendly conditions. 9
Faheem Ashraf: A very impressive Test debut, highlighted by a fine 83 in the first innings. A wicket + economical bowling effort right throughout the second innings rounded a solid performance. 8
Mohammad Amir: Concerns about his chronic knee problem didn’t stop Amir from having a fine Test. 2/9 off 10 overs in the first innings was backed up with 3/63 off 29.2 overs in the second. What a superb performance from a superb bowler. 9
Mohammad Abbas: Match figures of 9/110 are the best by a Pakistan fast bowler in eight years. It was a superb show of control by Abbas, targeting the Irish with unrelenting accuracy. He is no doubt a key player for Pakistan in England. 10
 |
| Abbas was unlucky not to get Man of the Match |
Rahat Ali: No wickets for a bowler who can’t quite seem to cut it at Test level. Whether he gets picked for the first Test in England remains to be seen. 3
Final say:
This was a memorable first Test from an Ireland perspective, pushing Pakistan on days four and five, when it even looked like they could lose by an innings. They can take a lot of heart and encouragement from this performance, and here’s to more opportunities at Test level for them.
For Pakistan, in typical Pakistan-style, they showed some good things and some bad. They will need to iron out a few issues, including their top order, for when they take the field v England.
All in all, it was an exciting Test, and am thankful the bad weather stayed away after the first day.
