An absorbing day of test cricket in Abu Dhabi. Hashmatullah Shahidi's unbeaten fifty took Afghanistan into the lead after Zia-Ur-Rahman's fifer. The match is nicely poised after the day 2 in Abu Dhabi test.

Earlier of the day, Ireland started strongly as they were sitting on 100-4. Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker stitched a fine partnership of 80 runs which helped Ireland eat Afghanistan's total score. However, Zahir Khan broke the partnership as he knocked over Paul Stirling after his fine 52 off 89 balls.

Zia-Ur - Rahman got the wicket of Lorcan Tucker after his 46 off 105 balls. Andy McBrine then played a handy innings of 38 off 74 balls and propelled Ireland to 263 with a lead of 108 runs.

Zia-Ur-Rahman was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 5 wickets, while Naveed Zadran got 3 wickets and aided Zia properly.

Being behind of 108 runs Afghanistan started their second innings. Mark Adair with the new ball showed his class yet again, picking up the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. Noor Ali Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi then had a fine partnership of 55 runs, which helped them come out from the initial blow. After the departure of Noor Ali Zadran, Shahidi alone motored to his fifty and took Afghanistan into the lead.

Afghanistan are now on 134-4 and have a lead of 26 runs. They'll be hoping Shahidi to prolong his innings and score a marathon hundred, while Ireland will be eyeing to bundle Afghanistan out for a paltry total to fancy their chances in the match.