Afghanistan secured a 3-0 lead in their five-match ODI series against Ireland after a commanding 42-run victory in the fourth encounter held in Belfast. The win was anchored by a dominant 231-run second-wicket partnership between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran, which propelled the visitors to a total of 343 for 9 after they were sent in to bat.
Despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 12 early in the innings, Afghanistan regained control through the record-breaking stand. Ibrahim Zadran anchored the effort with a composed 107 off 118 balls, reaching his century in 114 deliveries. Sediqullah Atal played a more aggressive role, smashing 17 fours and four sixes to record a career-best 143 off 120 balls, bringing up his own hundred in just 98 balls. Although Ireland’s bowlers, led by Byron McDonough’s 3-84, Mark Adair’s 2-60, and Gavin Hoey’s 2-71, managed to restrict the scoring in the final overs, the foundation had already been set.
Ireland’s pursuit began steadily, but the team struggled to maintain the required run rate. Following the early dismissal of Paul Stirling for 27 by Allah Ghazanfar and the loss of Cade Carmichael to Yamin Ahmadzai, Andy Balbirnie held the innings together with a resilient 109 off 119 balls. Curtis Campher provided a late surge of momentum, striking a rapid 84 off 46 balls to keep the hosts in contention, but the pressure of the mounting target eventually took its toll.
The Afghan bowling attack proved decisive as the chase faltered in the final stages. Yamin Ahmadzai spearheaded the effort with 4-71, while Rashid Khan claimed 3-49 to help bowl Ireland out for 301 in 48 overs. The result confirms a dominant series performance for Afghanistan. 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.
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.
Stirling made 27 before Allah Ghazanfar trapped him lbw and Yamin Ahmadzai then bowled Cade Carmichael for five to leave Ireland 53 for 2.
