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[Watch] Mark Adair's Sensational Opening Spell Pushes Afghanistan On Back Foot

Mark Adair cleared two Afghan batters in an over | Source: X.comMark Adair cleared two Afghan batters in an over | Source: X.com

A one-off Test match between Afghanistan and Ireland is underway at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi. Having won the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first, but Ireland made early inroads by claiming three quick wickets from Afghanistan's top order.

In a stunning display of pace bowling, Mark Adair struck twice in quick succession, removing Noor Ali Zadran on the third ball of the seventh over, followed by the dismissal of Rahmat Shah on the final delivery of the same over. 

Afghanistan found themselves in trouble at 11-2 after seven overs following two quick wickets. Noor Ali's departure came courtesy of a brilliant outswinger from Mark Adair, tempting him into an edge that was safely caught by Andy Balbirnie at second slip. 

Meanwhile, in Rahmat Shah's case, Adair delivered a well-pitched ball that nipped back sharply, eluding the inside edge of the bat as Rahmat attempted a forward defensive stroke, only to see the ball cannon into the off stump with force. 


Watch Video: Adair rattles Afghan top order

Later, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi fell to Barry McCarthy after adding 20 runs to the board from 44 balls. 

Meanwhile, opener Ibrahim Zadran continued to impress, notching up 52 runs from 72 deliveries, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz partnering him and contributing five runs off 17 balls before the lunch break, leaving Afghanistan at 86/3.