Afghanistan claimed a decisive 92-run victory against Ireland in the second ODI at the Bready Cricket Club on Friday, August 8. Following the abandonment of the series opener due to rain, this match also faced weather-related delays, resulting in a reduced 47-overs-a-side contest. Afghanistan posted a formidable 299 for 8, anchored by Ibrahim Zadran’s 84, before Rashid Khan dismantled the Irish lineup with a spectacular 6-for-34 performance to bowl them out for 207 in 33.4 overs.
Ireland opted to bowl first under overcast skies, and Mark Adair initially troubled the visitors with a maiden over. However, Jay Moondra struggled to maintain control, conceding boundaries early to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Although Moondra eventually dismissed Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal kept the momentum high. A crucial 116-run partnership between Ibrahim and Atal solidified the Afghan innings, with Ibrahim accelerating to reach a 52-ball half-century after the powerplay. Atal eventually fell to Harry Tector in the 25th over.
Following a steady 43-run stand between Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim, Afghanistan faced a brief wobble as both batsmen departed in quick succession. However, a brisk 43-run contribution from Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli kept the team on track. Despite a late-innings collapse where three wickets fell for 21 runs, Hashmatullah Shahidi provided a vital finish, striking 36 off just 21 balls to push the total to 299.
Ireland’s chase began with promise, matching Afghanistan’s powerplay score of 65 for 1. Andy Balbirnie looked comfortable, and Cade Carmichael—playing only his fourth ODI—showed aggression by taking 21 runs off a single Saleem Safi over. However, the momentum shifted decisively when Rashid Khan claimed the wickets of Balbirnie and Tector in rapid succession. A mix-up led to Lorcan Tucker’s run-out, and Carmichael’s dismissal shortly after left Ireland reeling at 152 for 5.
A brief counter-attack by Ben Calitz and Curtis Campher yielded 41 runs in three overs, but Rashid returned to bowl Calitz, triggering a collapse that saw Ireland lose their final four wickets for just nine runs. Rashid finished with 6-34, handing Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The teams are set to meet again for the third ODI on Monday, August 10, at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 299/8 in 47 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 84, Sediqullah Atal 45; Mark Adair 2-40, Jay Moondra 2-78) defeated Ireland 207 all-out in 33.4 overs (Cade Carmichael 62, Andy Balbirnie 36; Rashid Khan 6-34) by 92 runs.
After the first ODI was abandoned without a toss because of rain, the start of this fixture was delayed too due to inclement weather and was reduced to 47 overs-a-side.
Afghanistan reached 65 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay and while the scoring rate dipped thereafter, a 116-run stand between Ibrahim and Atal put them in command.
Ibrahim, who had started slowly, assumed the aggressor’s role following the powerplay and brought up a 52-ball fifty in the 19th over.
Opting to bowl first in overcast conditions, Ireland’s bowlers found movement with the new ball.
The left-arm seamer proved to be expensive, overstepping twice and conceding four boundaries in his opening two overs.
His third over started poorly too with Gurbaz launching him for a six followed by a four but Moondra would have the last laugh as Gurbaz holed out two balls later attempting another attacking shot.
Sediqullah Atal sustained the momentum with Moondra continuing to prove expensive in his opening spell.
Both then fell in the space of two overs – Ibrahim trying to attack Curtis Campher in the 34th and Rahmat holing out to Gavin Hoey in the 36th – but another brisk 43-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli ensured that Afghanistan remained on course.
It was only towards the death that Ireland managed to regain some control with a flurry of wickets as Afghanistan lost three wickets for 21 runs.
Still, an aggressive yet measured 21-ball 36 from Hashmatullah Shahidi, including four boundaries in the last two overs, ensured that the visitors finished strong.
Carmichael then fell in the very next over leaving Ireland on 152 for 5.
