Rahmat Shah fell just short of Afghanistan's first Test century but fifties from Hashmatullah Shahidi and Asghar Afghan pushed them into a strong position on day two against Ireland.
Rahmat fell on 98 and Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 314, reaching stumps with a lead of 120 runs and boosted by the dismissal of captain William Porterfield for a duck in Ireland's second innings.
Afghanistan – who skittled Ireland for just 172 in their first innings on day one – added 67 runs to their overnight total in the first session before Andy McBrine broke the 130-run union between Rahmat and Shahidi, trapping the latter lbw on 61.
Rahmat chopped on agonisingly close to a maiden Test century and Mohammad Nabi followed before tea, with Asghar receiving minimal support from the tail during his knock of 67.
Rashid Khan was the only other Afghanistan batsman to reach double figures as Stuart Thompson claimed figures of 3-28.
The sixth and final wicket to fall in the last session was that of Porterfield, who edged Yamin Ahmadzai behind second ball as Ireland reached the close on 22-1.
Afghanistan score 314 in the first innings against @Irelandcricket in the only Islamic Bank of Afghanistan Test match and taking a lead of 142. The top scorers for Afghanistan were Rahmat Shah (98), Asghar Afghan (67), Hashmatullah Shahidi (61) and Mohammad Shahzad (40).#AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/jzEf7zCDn4
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 16, 2019
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