Afghanistan bowl first after winning toss as third ODI with Ireland begins in Belfast

Ireland and Afghanistan meet in the third One-Day International at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on August 10, 2026, with Afghanistan winning the toss and electing to field. The visitors hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The opening game of the series was abandoned, but Afghanistan produced a one-sided victory in the second ODI. Ibrahim Zadran contributed 84 with the bat earlier in that match, while Rashid Khan finished with a six-wicket haul as Ireland were dismissed while chasing 300, losing their last seven wickets for just 63 runs.

Both teams have named near-identical XIs to those that started the second game: Afghanistan have made a single alteration, bringing Yamin Ahmadzai into the playing eleven in place of Mohammad Saleem Safi, while Ireland have kept the same side. Ireland will look to rely on Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker for the batting response called for after the previous defeat.

The contest is being staged at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, where conditions are reported as favourable for play. With clear weather expected, the matchday environment should allow both sides to contest a full, uninterrupted ODI.

Afghanistan enter the fixture with momentum from their dominant second-match performance and require one more win to secure their place at next year’s ODI World Cup. Ireland must win the third ODI to level the series and force a decider.