Afghanistan beat Ireland to close in on Test cricket chance

Ireland were forced to follow on after a poor first innings.

Afghanistan moved a step closer to the opportunity of securing Test cricket with a comprehensive victory over Ireland by an innings and 172 runs in their Intercontinental Cup at Greater Noida with a day to spare.

Centuries from captain Ashgar Stanikzai and wicket-keeper Afsar Zazai had helped Afghanistan post a formidable first-innings total of 537 for eight declared, before leg-spinner Rashid Khan ripped through the Ireland batsmen with five wickets for 99 to leave them with 170 for seven.