Afghanistan beat Ireland by 42 runs at Stormont to clinch ODI series 3-0

Afghanistan defeated Ireland by 42 runs at Stormont on Wednesday to seal the five-match ODI series with a game to spare and lead the series 3-0. Sediqullah Atal scored 143 off 120 balls on his 25th birthday and Ibrahim Zadran made 107 as Afghanistan posted 343-9 in 50 overs.

The tourists had already gained the upper hand after the series opener was washed out in Bready last week, securing 92-run and three-wicket wins in games two and three respectively. This was the first series for new Ireland head coach Gary Wilson and Ireland's first 50-over fixtures since May 2025 as they prepare for February's World Cup qualifiers. The series will finish with a final match at Stormont on Friday.

Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz early when he was caught off Byron McDonough after only 10 minutes at the crease, but Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal then compiled a 231-run second-wicket partnership, Afghanistan's third-largest in ODI cricket. By the time Gavin Hoey removed Ibrahim, Ireland were already facing what would have been a record chase at the Belfast ground, and Hoey later accounted for Atal.

After that partnership, Afghanistan lost six wickets for 58 runs but still reached 343-9, four runs more than their previous best total in the format against Sri Lanka two years ago. McDonough finished with 3-84 for Ireland in Afghanistan's innings.

In reply Andrew Balbirnie scored 109 off 119 balls and Curtis Campher made 86 off 46, but Ireland were bowled out for 301 in 48 overs. Rashid Khan took 3-49 for Afghanistan; Balbirnie’s wicket was recorded as the 11th of Rashid Khan's 12 wickets in the series to date.

Gavin Hoey's two wickets on Wednesday were the latest contribution from the 24-year-old spinner, who had taken four wickets and scored 36 on Monday. Balbirnie's century was his 10th in ODI cricket, leaving him behind only Paul Stirling and William Porterfield for Ireland in terms of ODI hundreds, and the knock served as a reminder of his role at the top as captain Paul Stirling continues to search for a score.

The series ends with the fifth and final game at Stormont on Friday.