Ireland finally won their first Test match on Friday, defeating Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi, ending their losing streak at seven.
Ireland achieved a modest target of 111 wins in the final session of the third day, with captain Andy Balbirnie leading the way with an unbeaten 58 wins.
Ireland played their first Test in 2018, losing to Pakistan.
“We're really excited. We've made history. Monkey is off our backs and to be able to do that is very special.” Balbani said.
“We were obviously nervous. We were chasing our first win. You ask the whole group how special this is. A lot of our players haven't been able to play Test cricket. . I hope people back home want to become Test cricketers.”
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Afghanistan resumed their second innings on Friday and won 3-134, being dismissed for 218.
Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 55 runs while Rahmanullah Gurbaz, making his Test debut, scored 46 runs.
Mark Adair took three wickets and finished the match with eight wickets. Craig Young and Barry McCarthy also claimed three counts each.
Gulbaz, who is best known for his flashy and explosive shot-making in limited overs cricket, clubbed just two sixes in his innings.
Chasing 111 runs from victory, Ireland found themselves in a predicament, with 18-year-old fast bowler Naveed Zadran scoring the opener with clean bowling, but Peter Moore and Curtis Campher failed to score, and they were down 3 wickets for just 13 runs. Ta.
Balbani denied the teenager a hat-trick, but Harry Tector was soon equalized by Nijat Masoud for Gulbaz, who had a two-goal lead.
Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, who played together in Ireland's debut Test in 2018, temporarily eased tensions in the dressing room.
Ireland trailed 39-4 just after tea time, but Sterling lost 14 points to a slip from left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman.
However, Balbirnie moved cautiously towards his fourth Test half-century, with his 86 balls, ably supported by Lorcan Tucker (27 not out), forming a vital partnership for a 72-ball victory. Ta.
“I think we let ourselves down when we stepped up to bat the first day,” Shahidi said.
“The Irish Sailors were bowling very well, but we gave up wickets.”
He further added: Gurbaz was very positive in his debut match. Naveed had a good Test against Sri Lanka and he performed very well in this match as well. ”
Ireland fast bowler Adair said he was “thrilled” with the win.
“Test cricket is quite difficult. I think we have a really good bowling group,” he said.
Both teams will now play three one-day internationals and three T20 matches as part of the multi-format series.
