Murtagh lifts Ireland to 172 against Afghanistan

DEHRADUN, India, Mar 15 (AFP): Number 11 Tim Murtagh hit a defiant half-century to lift Ireland to 172 after Afghanistan spinners wreaked havoc on the opening day of the one-off Test between the cricketing minnows on Friday.
Murtagh, who remained unbeaten at 54, and George Dockrell, who made 39, put together an 87-run 10th-wicket stand to give Ireland a respectable outcome after they were left reeling at 85-9 in Dehradun.
Paceman Yamin Ahmadzai and off-spinner Mohammed Nabi took three wickets each to rattle the opposition batting after Ireland elected to bat first.
Opener Paul Stirling gave the team a brisk start with his 26 but Ireland's batting collapsed to 69-7 at lunch.
Nabi combined with wrist spinners Rashid Khan and Waqar Salamkheil -- who took two wickets each -- to run through Ireland's top and middle order.

Ireland's Tim Murtagh raising his bat after hitting a half century during the day one of the Test match against Afghanistan at the Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium in the northern Indian city of Dehradun on Friday — AFP