Afghanistan secured a dominant series victory over Ireland in Belfast, clinching the fourth ODI by 42 runs to establish an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. After being sent in to bat, the visitors posted a formidable total of 343 for 9, anchored by a massive 231-run second-wicket partnership between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran.
The Afghan innings overcame an early setback when Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 12. Ibrahim and Atal took control, with Ibrahim reaching his century in 114 balls to finish with 107 off 118. Atal played with greater aggression, bringing up his hundred in 98 balls and eventually scoring a career-best 143 off 120 deliveries, featuring 17 fours and four sixes. Late contributions from Darwish Rasooli (24) and Azmatullah Omarzai (15) helped push the total, despite a late-innings fightback from Irish bowlers Byron McDonough (3-84), Mark Adair (2-60), and Gavin Hoey (2-71).
Ireland’s pursuit began with a steady opening stand between Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie. However, the momentum shifted after Allah Ghazanfar trapped Stirling lbw for 27, and Yamin Ahmadzai bowled Cade Carmichael for five, leaving Ireland at 53 for 2. Balbirnie anchored the innings with a resilient 109 off 119 balls, while Curtis Campher injected urgency into the chase with a blistering 84 off just 46 deliveries.
Despite the efforts of Balbirnie and Campher, the required run rate proved too steep as Afghanistan’s bowlers consistently claimed wickets at crucial intervals. Once Campher departed, the Irish resistance faded, and the team was eventually bowled out for 301 in 48 overs. Yamin Ahmadzai led the Afghan attack with 4-71, supported by Rashid Khan’s 3-49, sealing the win and the series result.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 343/9 in 50 overs (Sediqullah Atal 143, Ibrahim Zadran 107; Byron McDonough 3-84, Mark Adair 2-60, Gavin Hoey 2-71) beat Ireland 301 all out in 48 overs (Andy Balbirnie 109, Curtis Campher 84; Yamin Ahmadzai 4-71, Rashid Khan 3-49) by 42 runs.
Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 12 early, but Ibrahim and Atal put Ireland under pressure with a big partnership.
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.