BELFAST: Rashid Khan produced a decisive all-round performance as Afghanistan secured a nervy three-wicket win over Ireland to seal automatic qualification for the ICC World Cup 2027.
Before heading into the series, Afghanistan needed two wins to secure their place in the next year’s mega event.
Set a stiff 207 at Civil Service Cricket Club on Monday in the third ODI, Afghanistan hit the winning runs on the final ball of the 45th over, losing seven wickets in the process.
Rashid rescued his side from a precarious 175-7 in 35.4 overs. He stitched an unbeaten 31-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Yamin Ahmadzai, who scored four, to take his team over the line.
The right-handed batter finished with 37 not out from 43 balls, hitting four boundaries.
Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 71 off 77, hitting five sixes and two fours before Ireland hit back with a flurry of wickets in the middle overs.
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For Ireland, leg-spinner Gavin Hoey starred with a four-wicket haul, while Mark Adair picked up two wickets.
Put into bat first, Ireland were bowled out for 206 in 46.3 overs.
Afghanistan had reduced Ireland to 128/8 in 29.4 overs. However, a 76-run stand between Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra lifted them beyond the 200-run mark.
Gavin Hoey hit two fours in his gritty 36 from 67 balls. On the other hand, Jai Moondra contributed 31 off 33, hitting five fours.
For the visitors, Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar tore through Ireland’s batting line-up, both picking up six wickets each.
Afghanistan are 2-0 up in the five-match series, with the opening fixture washed out due to rain.
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