A ton to remember for Kevin O’Brien

The 34-year-old O'Brien joins the likes of Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe) and Aminul Islam (Bangladesh) who scored centuries in their nation's inaugural Test.

Kevin O'Brien in action against Pakistan on Day Four at the Malahide Oval in Dublin.

Historic games deserve a few records and a bit of drama. Ireland all rounder Kevin O’Brien ensured there is some twist in his country’s debut Test against Pakistan at the Malahide Oval in Dublin on Monday. The right-hander smashed a hundred, injecting life into the otherwise one-sided Test.

O’Brien walked in at number six and rescued Ireland from an innings defeat by scoringan unbeaten 118 on Day Four.

The 34-year-old O’Brien, who top-scored in the first innings with 40, started from where he left; he hit 10 fours en route his ton.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 310/9 on board in its first innings, to which Ireland was bowled out for 130.

Following on, the host started the second innings on a high. Senior players Ed Joyce and William Porterfield shared a 69-run stand for the first wicket. But wickets tumbled along with their departure, before O’Brien and Stuart Thompson (53) steadied the ship.

O’Brien now joins the elite list of cricketers who scored hundreds in their nation’s inaugural Test. It features Charles Bannerman (Australia; 165 not out against England in 1877), Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe; 121 against India in 1992), Aminul Islam (Bangladesh; 145 against India in 2000).