Ireland showed they belong at the Test level as they battled their way to a healthy lead at stumps on day four of the Dublin Test against Pakistan with Kevin O’Brien scoring the country’s maiden Test century.

Kevin etched his name into the history books with an unbeaten 118 to guide the hosts to 319/7 on the fourth day of the Dublin Test.

Pakistan were hoping for a quick finish to the encounter after fast bowler Mohammad Amir picked up his 100th Test wicket but Kevin had other ideas as he helped stretch the lead to 139 after the hosts were bowled out for 130 in the first essay.

GLORY FOR AMIR

The day started on an uncertain note for Pakistan quick Amir following a recurrence of his knee injury that forced him out of the attack on day three. He had to bowl cautiously but still had enough skill to move the ball around and get the nick off Gary Wilson’s bat to pick up his 100th Test wicket.

Amir became only the second left-arm fast bowler from Pakistan, after the legendary Wasim Akram, to reach three figures in Test bowling. However, his recurring foot injuries will be on the mind of Pakistan’s management, more than his record.

O’BRIEN AND THOMPSON HIT BACK

Six down for 157, the match seemed done and dusted. But Ireland showed that while they are making their Test debut, they know how to battle for long periods. The collective first-class experience of Ireland stands at 1,103 matches, which is substantially more than Pakistan’s 799.

That experience came into play as Kevin led a counter-attack along with Stuart Thompson (53) with the two adding 114 runs to not only take Ireland to safety but turn the tables on Pakistan.

O’Brien reached his century with a squeezed two off Amir to become just the fourth batsman to score a century in his country’s inaugural Test.

IRELAND SENSE SOMETHING SPECIAL

Test cricket is a funny game and Ireland will start to think of forcing the issue as they are 139 runs ahead with three wickets in hand. Ireland don’t have a lot to lose and given Pakistan’s inexperienced batting order that had been exposed in the first innings, they will line up for the final day’s play full of confidence.

O’Brien will get the license to throw his bat around on the last day to garner as many runs as possible and then look to put pressure on Pakistan.