The Afghan team's tour in Ireland is progressing successfully: in the five-match series, Afghanistan has already secured an overwhelming 3-0 lead. After the first match was cancelled due to rain, in the fourth ODI held in Belfast on Wednesday (August 12), the Afghan team won by a margin of 42 runs.
In this match, the Afghan team initially defended a score of 343/9. In response, the Irish side managed to score 301 runs. Afghanistan's previous record for the highest score in an ODI was 339/6, achieved on February 9, 2024, but in the fourth match, Afghanistan surpassed this figure.
In this game, Sedikullah Atal scored 143 runs off 120 balls, and Ibrahim Zadran played by scoring 107 runs off 118 balls. These two players provided the foundation for such a large total.
In the match played at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, Ireland's captain Paul Stirling decided to start with the toss. Ireland quickly gained success when Brian McDonough dismissed Rehmanullah Gurgaz after 10 balls, when he had scored 12 runs.
After this, Ibrahim Zadran and Sedikullah took the initiative, building an impressive partnership of 231 runs for the second wicket. This became Afghanistan's largest partnership for the second wicket and the third largest partnership overall in the game.
Zadran completed his seventh ODI century, becoming one of the three fastest players to reach 2000 runs in ODIs. For his part, Atal scored 143 runs in his innings, hitting 17 fours and four sixes.
Despite losing several players in the last overs, Afghanistan's score reached a record 343/9. After Atal was dismissed, the team's score stood at 285/3 in 42.5 overs. Then the team tried to score runs in the final overs, but lost six more players; nevertheless, they managed to reach a total of 343/9.
Ireland, which needed to chase a target of 344 runs, started slowly. Captain Paul Stirling scored 27 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and two sixes, but was dismissed by EM Gajanafer via LBW.
Next, Andy Balbirnie took charge of the game. He remained on the field, supporting the team despite the increasing pressure of the pace of the game. Balbirnie reached his tenth ODI century in 113 balls in the 38th over. However, immediately after this, Afghanistan strengthened its advantage. In the 40th over, Rashid Khan took two consecutive wickets, dismissing Balbirnie and Benjamin Fletcher.
Following this, Ireland's all-rounder Curtis Campher created tension in the match by scoring runs quickly. He reached a half-century off 34 balls against Zia Ur Rahman, and then continued to hit powerful shots. Campher scored 84 runs off 46 balls, including eight fours and five sixes. Nevertheless, Yamin Ahmadzai dismissed Campher in the 48th over, taking another wicket, and the Irish innings concluded at 301 runs.
This victory marked the third consecutive win for Afghanistan against Ireland. The team achieved a 3-0 lead in the five-match series, which Ireland now cannot overturn. The fifth and final ODI is scheduled for August 14 at the same venue. Afghanistan is now aiming to conclude the series with a 4-0 scoreline.
Afghanistan has already qualified directly for the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 based on rankings. Currently, the team ranks eighth in the ICC men's ODI world ranking.
