Afghanistan secured a comprehensive 4-0 series victory over Ireland on Saturday, August 15, following a masterful unbeaten 143 from captain Rahmat Shah. Faced with a target of 299, the visitors found themselves in early trouble at 22 for 2, but a resilient 201-run partnership between Rahmat and Sediqullah Atal turned the tide of the match.
Ireland’s bowling attack, led by Liam McCarthy, had initially put the visitors under pressure. McCarthy dismissed Ibrahim Zadran in the fourth over, and an athletic catch by George Dockrell at mid-on removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz shortly after. Despite the required run-rate climbing above seven, Rahmat and Atal remained composed. The momentum shifted in the 16th over when Rahmat struck a six off Gavin Hoey, followed by an Atal boundary, as the pair began to find the fence with regularity.
The partnership, largely chanceless barring a top-edge that landed safe and a slight mix-up, had swelled to 200 by the 40th over. It was eventually broken in the 40th over when Atal, aiming for his own century, was caught by Cade Carmichael off McCarthy for 98. Rahmat, however, pushed on to secure his first century in over five years during the 42nd over. Supported by Azmatullah Omarzai, who contributed a quick-fire 24 off 14 balls in a 56-run stand, fittingly, it was the captain who sealed Afghanistan’s highest run-chase in ODIs with a boundary in the 49th over to finish at 302 for 4.
Earlier in the day, Ireland posted 298 for 7 after being sent in to bat. Afghanistan opted to bowl upon winning the toss and caused plenty of problems for the Irish openers with the new ball. Afghanistan’s new-ball attack proved difficult for the hosts, with Omarzai claiming the wickets of Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling in the seventh over. AM Ghazanfar further hampered Ireland by dismissing Carmichael and Lorcan Tucker. Although Harry Tector scored 53 and was involved in a 55-run stand with Curtis Campher, Ireland faced a middle-order wobble. A 72-run partnership between Campher and Dockrell helped steady the ship, and despite Omarzai ending that stand, Ireland finished strongly with 101 runs in the final 10 overs. Curtis Campher led the scoring with 96 before being dismissed by Saleem Safi in the final over.
Both Rahmat and Atal remained patient and bided their time.
Having settled in and attained comfort at the crease, the duo confidently punished anything that was loose.
