Afghanistan secured a 3-0 lead in their five-match ODI series against Ireland following a 42-run victory in the fourth encounter at Belfast. Batting first, the visitors posted a formidable 343 for 9, anchored by a dominant 231-run second-wicket partnership between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. Despite an early setback with the loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 12, the duo stabilized the innings and put the Irish bowlers under immense pressure.
Ibrahim Zadran played a measured knock, reaching his century in 114 balls before finishing with 107 off 118 deliveries. Sediqullah Atal proved more aggressive, bringing up his maiden hundred in 98 balls and ultimately recording a career-best 143 off 120 balls, an innings highlighted by 17 fours and four sixes. Although Ireland’s Byron McDonough claimed 3 for 84, and Mark Adair and Gavin Hoey chipped in with two wickets each to restrict the late-order scoring, Afghanistan’s platform proved too substantial to overcome.
Ireland’s pursuit began steadily with Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling adding 48 for the opening wicket. However, the momentum shifted when Allah Ghazanfar trapped Stirling lbw for 27, and Yamin Ahmadzai dismissed Cade Carmichael for five, reducing Ireland to 53 for 2. Balbirnie remained the anchor, compiling 109 off 119 balls, while Curtis Campher provided a late spark with a blistering 84 off just 46 deliveries to keep the hosts in the hunt.
The required run rate eventually proved too steep as Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained their composure. Yamin Ahmadzai spearheaded the attack with 4 for 71, while Rashid Khan claimed 3 for 49, effectively dismantling the Irish lineup for 301 in 48 overs. The result confirms a dominant series performance for Afghanistan. Brief Scores: Afghanistan 343/9 in 50 overs (Atal 143, Zadran 107; McDonough 3-84) beat Ireland 301 all out in 48 overs (Balbirnie 109, Campher 84; Ahmadzai 4-71, Rashid 3-49) by 42 runs.
Ireland fought back in the chase but were bowled out for 301 in 48 overs.
Their partnership took Afghanistan past 240 before Ireland finally broke through.
Ireland’s bowlers did well to pick up wickets in the final part of the innings and restrict Afghanistan to 343 for 9.
Darwish Rasooli added 24 and Azmatullah Omarzai made 15 as Afghanistan finished with a total that put Ireland under pressure.
Ireland started positively but slowly in the chase, with Paul Stirling and Balbirnie putting on 48 for the first wicket.
Balbirnie stayed firm and was joined by Harry Tector as Ireland moved to 90 for 2 after 18.4 overs.
