Ireland's rise from World Cup giant-killers to fully fledged Test nation
has featured a band of familiar faces, few more recognisable than that
of Kevin O'Brien.
From Sabina Park 2007, when he was in the middle to help seal victory
over Pakistan, to Bangalore 2011, when his 50-ball hundred (and pink dye
job) slayed England, O'Brien has been at the centre of Ireland's story.
Now he is the first Irishman to score a Test hundred.
Having been made to follow on 180 runs behind, many would have written off Ireland's chances of taking the game into day five; instead, they will resume their second innings with a lead of 139 and the prospect of giving Pakistan an awkward run chase - at the very least.
A thick outside edge through point off Mohammad Amir brought O'Brien to a milestone that held significance far beyond the personal. Amir's three wickets earlier in the day had put Pakistan into a position from which an innings win seemed entirely possible - even likely - but O'Brien and Stuart Thompson combined for a 114-run rearguard that not only pushed Ireland in front and burnished local pride, but allowed them to sleep on the possibility of another famous upset.
It took a ripping delivery from legspinner Shadab Khan to remove Thompson, bowled playing back as the ball lurched from the rough outside off stump, but No. 9 Tyrone Kane then dug in stoically for an hour and a half for 8 off 67 balls to frustrate Pakistan further.
Scorecard
Pakistan 310/9 Declared
Ireland 130/10 and 319/7 (Follow-On)with Kevin O'Brien 118* and Tyrone Kane 08* at the crease
Having been made to follow on 180 runs behind, many would have written off Ireland's chances of taking the game into day five; instead, they will resume their second innings with a lead of 139 and the prospect of giving Pakistan an awkward run chase - at the very least.
A thick outside edge through point off Mohammad Amir brought O'Brien to a milestone that held significance far beyond the personal. Amir's three wickets earlier in the day had put Pakistan into a position from which an innings win seemed entirely possible - even likely - but O'Brien and Stuart Thompson combined for a 114-run rearguard that not only pushed Ireland in front and burnished local pride, but allowed them to sleep on the possibility of another famous upset.
It took a ripping delivery from legspinner Shadab Khan to remove Thompson, bowled playing back as the ball lurched from the rough outside off stump, but No. 9 Tyrone Kane then dug in stoically for an hour and a half for 8 off 67 balls to frustrate Pakistan further.
Scorecard
Pakistan 310/9 Declared
Ireland 130/10 and 319/7 (Follow-On)with Kevin O'Brien 118* and Tyrone Kane 08* at the crease
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