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 with a day to spare.
Centuries from captain Asghar Stanikzai and wicket-keeper Afsar Zazai helped Afghanistan post a formidable first-innings total of 8-537 declared, before legspinner Rashid Khan ripped through the Ireland batsmen with five wickets to leave them at 7-170.
John Anderson tried to offer some resistance during Thursday's opening sessions, his unbeaten 61 helping the total to 261 but Ireland were nevertheless forced to follow on.
This time it was offspinner Mohammad Nabi who did the damage, eventually taking 6-40 off 20 overs, while Khan returned 3-44 as Afghanistan claimed the full 20 points on offer to overtake Ireland at the top of the Intercontinental Cup standings.
Ireland and Afghanistan both have two matches left to play, with the team which leads the final rankings then set to play the lowest-ranked Test side - which is currently Zimbabwe - next year with the winner earning Test status.
Any hopes of a dramatic comeback in the second innings, however, failed to materialise as Afghanistan again set about the Ireland openers.
Captain William Porterfield, who was out for just four on Wednesday, could only manage eight before he sent an outside edge off a fuller delivery from Dawlat Zadran to Rahmat Shah at gully.
Khan had Andy Balbirnie caught behind for 13 to leave Ireland reeling at 2-26.
Nabi soon sent Anderson back with a 15-ball duck and then bowled Ed Joyce for 11 in the same over.
Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson were Ireland's top scorers with 15, both falling to Khan, and the tail offered little resistance as Nabi remained on the offensive and Ireland were skittled for just 104.
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