Ireland still have a chance of victory in their inaugural Test against Pakistan thanks to a century from Kevin O'Brien.
He will resume unbeaten on 118 tomorrow morning as the hosts rallied from 125-5 to post 319 by stumps this evening.
His partnership with Stuart Thompson lower down the order frustrated Pakistan, who looked well and truly in the box seat when the fifth wicket went down after lunch.
But a mix of power and precision hitting from O’Brien hauled Ireland back into the contest and ensures Pakistan will be forced to bat again tomorrow.
The discipline in Ireland’s second innings at odds with their first showing, when they were knocked over for just 130.
But O’Brien’s swashbuckling knock evoked memories of his heroics against England in 2011, when he smashed the fastest century in World Cup history.
Ireland officially have a Test Match honours board and Kevin O'Brien becomes the first name to grace it here at Malahide Cricket Club pic.twitter.com/Ry0lvoZ0cy
— Irish Cricketers (@IrishCricketers) May 14, 2018
The lead of 139 is precarious and Ireland’s chances of victory hinge on keeping the Dubliner at the crease as long as possible and then following that up with an inspired spell of bowling.
But Pakistan have been knocked over for low scores recently, managing only 114 in their second innings against Sri Lanka as recently as September 2017.
