Live Ireland tour of India, Only Test: Afghanistan v Ireland at Dehradun, Mar 15-19, 2019

Afghanistan collect the trophy for this one-off series. The team joins him to celebrate and it won’t be done at the ground either. It’s a massive day in their cricket history and things are only going to get better from here. Thank you for your company. See you later.

“Happy. It’s a historic day for Afghanistan, for our team and our people,” Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan. “We have been playing for a while, we have been playing first-class cricket, so we have that composure. The bowlers were very good, Rashid, Yamin. Now we’re going to South Africa for World Cup preparation. We will try out best to play good cricket.”

Rahmat Shah is the Man of the Match for his twin fifties: “First of all I’d like to congratulate the country for this win. [Difference between his form in ODIs and this Test]There was a difference in the pitches – the ODI wickets was suitable for spin, this was better for batting. We played session by session and tried to win the match that way. I would like to give credit to the bowlers, they played really well.”

12.15 pm “It was obvioulsy going to be a tough ask defending 150. It was the first innings where it went wrong for us,” Ireland captain William Porterfield says. “At the time, winning the toss was big, Any multi-day game, we had to capitalise in the first innings. If we’d done how we’d done in the second innings then, it could have been a completely different game. But credit to Afghanistan, they outplayed us. We had a few glimpses. It’s only our second game, quite a few lads making their debuts. But you want the lads to kick on and make a big contribution. And once Afghanistan got past us in the first innings, it was always going to be hard. Long tour, we came in from Oman, but playing a Test match, you’re never tired.”

By matches, Afghanistan are joint second-fastest to a maiden Test-match win, alongside Pakistan and England

Anwar Sahak: “Tears all over my face”

MoonVale: “As an Irish person, I am of course sad that Ireland lost, but congrats to Afghanistan and their rise through the ranks of cricket, good luck going on to the WC and hopefully Ireland can upset the old enemy!”

Anubhab Mukherj: “Being a die hard Afg fan from Kolkata, how I wish i could have been there in the stadium to watch them bath in glory. Lots of love to them.”

12.05 pm Both results were possible at the start of the day, but now, bathed in the gloe of the noon-day sun, it seems silly that anyone ever thought Afghanistan would slip today. Rahmat Shah and Ihsanullah batted with great poise, ushering the way to this moment where the entire team is huddled together, shoulder to shoulder, screaming and singing and jumping around with joy

Rupam: “I have been a fan of the Afghanistan cricket team for quite some time now. Really enjoy their game. Congrats for their maiden test win and all the best fron CWC19.. hope they will put up a great show there.. Afg winning a match is bo longer an upset, they have come a long way with some real good display.. from an Indian fan..”

Z. Khan: “Both these teams exemplify what cricket means to its billion fans – cricket is a game of hope, cricket is a game of struggle, and cricket is a game of joy. Congratulations to the Afghans, and I hope for better luck next time for the Irish. At the end of the day, this game has been a celebration of all that is right with the world.”

Niamatullah Sal: “Congratulations! What a performance by our brave Afghan team ; yesterday I was so afraid of 4th innings test matches pitches drama. But thanks God that we achieved the target.”

Azweer: “Congratzzzzz Afghanistan… WELL PLAYED IRELAND…. “

Time for Hashmatullah Shahidi

Abhijato: “I’ve been a huge fan of these teams – both showed tremendous heart in a fascinating contest here. Congratulations to Afghanistan for their maiden victory, and as for Ireland – The script does not change. Even the Afghans cruise towards their target with ease like Pakistan. Maybe their luck will change when they play a non-subcontinental team ;)? Anderson will be waiting for them in his favourite hunting ground, but the Irish will look to utilise their experience in County. Best of luck Irishmen!”

Here’s Mohammad Nabi. Former captain. All-round awesomesauce.

Sifat Khawry : “I going back to the flash backs of incredible journey of Afghanistan Cricket… Following those matches with associates on radio, Hasti Gul Abid’s winning score in Jersey, our first T20 Match with India in 2010 World T20, qualifying to the World Cup 2015, Getting full membership status in 2017 and now this historical moment.. Oh God!! Dont know how to express my emotions!!!”

Afghanistan need only three runs to win now

Tom: “this has been a superb performance from the Afghans showed that they learnt alot from the India game hopefully they can get some more test cricket and some outside of Asia soon so we can see how they go on a seaming deck as for Ireland they can take plenty of lessons and experience to take with them to the Lords test ”

Fowzul Aleem Fa: “There will be many more surprises in 2019 World Cup with the emergence of Afghanistan Team”

Liam: “If I lived in Dehradun I’d be watching this match. Amazing moment for Afghanistan, feeling so happy for them. Also great to see Rashid be successful at this level as an Adelaide Strikers fan…”

Azweer: “True cricket fans are sometimes may not be seen in the stadium… But we will be sitting in front of TV screen or have a mobile with Cricinfo app following the game every ball…” — yeah, but it would’ve been nice for the players to see and hear their efforts being appreciated

Breado: “Congratulations to both teams. I wish them both much success in the future. ” Yep, Ireland have played their part in making this Test match magic. Even now Andy Balbirnie chased a ball all the way to the boundary when an Afghanistan win is basically a matter of time. They’ve been committed to the cause. They’ve also been fantastic fighters, as those last wicket partnerships showed.

Ahmad Feroz Ary: “What a good innings by our brave batsmen, We are proud of them, love from Kandahar.”

Zalaal: “I’m sure right now in eveey house, shop, office, ministries etc, people will either watch tv, follow cricinfo or listening to radio and will feel proud. thanks cricket for giving us happiness. ”

Zia Ur Rahman: “We (Afghans) are very very happy for this historical victory, I am in my office but watching the match we are struggling in other fields of the life as we do in cricket, congrats to Cricket lovers all over the world. Thanks India for hosting” — Shame that the ground is absolutely empty though. No one there watching history unfold

Mateen: “In kandahar to day is a cloudy day we cant use solar system thanks to espn for update”

Afghanistan need only 22 more for their first Test match victory

S. Halder: “No need to tell me much about it mate! I’ve been a huge fan of the Crystal Ball and its owner Abhijato… He’s developed a cult following amidst the PSL fans! You forgot to mention the time it predicted the Hetmeyer century v ENG :)”

Faridahmad: “We do not have electricity but still I am ushering my mobile on. Checking to check the match”