Afghanistan secure direct qualification for 2027 ODI World Cup with three-wicket win over Ireland in Belfast
Afghanistan beat Ireland by three wickets in Belfast on Monday to secure direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the visitors reaching 207 for seven in 44.5 overs after chasing 207. The match finished Afghanistan (207/7 in 44.5 overs) defeating Ireland (206 in 46.3 overs) by three wickets.
Afghanistan entered the game knowing a win would guarantee their place at the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The victory also moved them 2-0 up in the five-match series after the opening ODI was washed out and Afghanistan won the second match by 92 runs.
Ireland were 128 for eight before a ninth-wicket partnership between Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra added 76 runs, a record ninth-wicket stand for Ireland in ODIs, lifting the hosts to 206. Hoey top-scored with 36 and Moondra made 31 in only his second ODI innings; the partnership ended when Moondra edged Yamin Ahmadzai behind. Ahmadzai was making his first ODI appearance since 2022, and Hoey was bowled soon after by Azmatullah Omarzai attempting a big shot down the ground.
Afghanistan’s spinners applied pressure earlier in Ireland’s innings, with Rashid Khan taking 3/44 and AM Ghazanfar also claiming three wickets; the two combined for six of Ireland’s dismissals. Ireland had slipped from 154 for six to 176 for seven before the late ninth-wicket stand, leaving a total Afghanistan could chase.
The chase began positively for Afghanistan as Rahmanullah Gurbaz reached his eighth ODI half-century and the side looked set at 97 for two. The middle overs swung the momentum when Ireland’s leg-spinner Gavin Hoey produced a decisive spell, finishing with 4/34; Hoey removed Sediqullah Atal for 27, and Mark Adair also struck to bowl Rahmat Shah after finding movement off the surface. Hoey went on to dismiss Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai also fell as Afghanistan’s chase stalled at 154 for six and then 176 for seven.
With Afghanistan seven down and still needing 31 runs, Rashid Khan held his nerve under pressure, staying at the crease and guiding the chase. Rashid remained unbeaten on 37 from 43 balls, hitting four boundaries, and together with Yamin Ahmadzai, who was not out on four from 26 balls, saw Afghanistan across the line; Rashid completed the chase with two runs off Harry Tector in the 45th over.
The win confirms Afghanistan’s direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup and ensures they will feature in their fourth consecutive edition of the tournament.
