Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan on the top despite the collapse later in the day

Afghanistan have extended its first innings lead a great deal on day-2. Carrying on their batting with an overnight score of 90/2, the middle-order applied itself beautifully. Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and skipper Asghar Afghan played useful knocks for the home team.

Even though there was a small collapse of sorts towards the end of their innings, the side would have contended with its performance. Ireland did reasonably well in the tricky phase of the day towards the end. They lost one wicket and still trail the hosts’ score by 120 runs.

Rahmat Shah misses out on becoming the first Afghan batsman with a Test ton

Both Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi continued batting from where they left off on day-1. From 90/2, they added another 108 runs together on the day. The left-handed Shahidi was the first to walk back to the pavilion after Andy McBrine dismissed him for 61 runs.

Soon, Rahmat was also bowled by Tim Murtagh when he was on 98. Thus, the batsman missed out on being the first Afghan batsman to score a century in Test cricket. The lower middle-order and the tail didn’t live up to the expectations. Mohammad Nabi was dismissed for a duck. Ikram Ali Khil got out for 7 runs while Rashid Khan got back into the hut after scoring 10 runs.

Skipper Asghar Afghan though battled it out at one end. He scored 67 runs which came at a fair clip and was the 9th wicket to fall. The hosts ultimately bundled out for 314 runs after taking a first innings lead of 142 runs. In their second innings, Ireland lost William Porterfield just off the second ball in the first over. However, Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling negotiated well in the last few overs and didn’t let any wicket fall further. Ireland finished the day with a score of 22/1.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Well played Rahmat Shah. #AFGvsIRE pic.twitter.com/bNutxD1Vne

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 16, 2019

Heartbreak for Rahmat Shah! He falls just two runs short of what would have been Afghanistan's maiden hundred in Test cricket!

Ireland have taken two quick wickets to reduce their opponents to 227/5. #AFGvIRE LIVE UPDATES ⬇️ https://t.co/mV1o12EBt1 pic.twitter.com/ux3l7oo26n

— ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2019

It's sad to see @RahmatShah_8 not getting up to his much deserved hundred. I think he was too anxious to get to the three figure mark which hurried him up to the nothing shot which skidded on to his stumps. But nevertheless job well done scoring 98 runs. #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/B3Mn6iC2wu

— Mustapha Ismail (@MIsmail2001) March 16, 2019

Congratulations to our champions @RahmatShah_8 and @Hashmat_50 for their first ever 50s in the test matches. @ACBofficials @Irelandcricket

— Kabir Haqmal (@Haqmal) March 16, 2019

What a Heartbreak! Could have been first Afghan player to score a test century but not to be. Well played Rahmat Shah. #AFGvIRE

— Keshav Nemade (@KeshavNemade) March 16, 2019

Rahmat_Shah what you have done???
I was wishing you a congratulation about the first ever hundred for an Afghan batsman in the history of test cricket

— Ellyse Perry (@PerryFollowback) March 16, 2019

Feeling sorry for @RahmatShah_8 . He deserved a century. All because of @hamidhassanHH . Instead of saying he deserves a century, he commentated “he deserved a century “ this was while Rahmat was on strike. 😜 #AFGvIRE better luck next time.

— Adil Zahed (@adilzahed) March 16, 2019

Salute to Asghar Afghan for playing with injured left shoulder/hand #AFGvsIRE

— jalal shah (@IMAFGHAN) March 16, 2019

Oh no! Rahmat Shah cruelly falls two runs short of registering Afghanistan’s first Test century. He’s absolutely gutted. #AFGvIRE

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) March 16, 2019

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