10/08Result
3rd ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland at Belfast, Aug 10 2026
Afghanistan won by 3 wkts (31b rem)
Player of the Match
Rashid Khan
Rashid KhanAfghanistan
10/08Result
3rd ODI, Afghanistan tour of Ireland at Belfast, Aug 10 2026
Afghanistan won by 3 wkts (31b rem)
Player of the Match
Rashid Khan
Rashid KhanAfghanistan

Well, that's all from our side. A rather slow-burn game, but enjoyable near the end as Ireland did their best to drag themselves back into the contest. For now, Afghanistan sleep easier knowing they'll be in the WC next year with a direct Q. From Abhijato, Shashank, Sudeep and Harshith, it's goodbye for now!

Time for the post-match presentation.

Rashid Khan is the Player of the Match. And ah, the mic is glitching out so we can't quite make out what he's saying. But he's quite stoic as he holds onto his gift hamper and speaks to the broadcasters. Can only imagine he's chuffed inside!

Paul Stirling speaks, with the mic swapped out: "The take from both games is that we're getting in positions where we're in the game. In the powerplay, we were far ahead in the game. Even 20, 30 runs more could have been enough today. Wickets are tough when you get put in. The heavy roller played a long part in the game."

Rahmat Shah, the Afghanistan captain: "It was a low-scoring match, always tough. Finally we won the match. Rashid bowled really well. Assessed the conditions well."

6.20pm Afghanistan have huffed and puffed in this low-scoring encounter, but with 207 runs to get, they were always the favourites in this chase. Rashid's calm head in the finishing stages has dragged Afghanistan to a 2-0 lead in this series (which is also unassailable) as well as direct qualification to the ODI World Cup in Africa next year. Ireland will know they almost had Afghanistan on the ropes here, but in the end, they just didn't have enough runs in the bank once Gurbaz knocked off the 71 runs at the top of the order with his patient knock.

44.5
2
Tector to Rashid Khan, 2 runs, This time Rashid will get the runs he needs to finish it off. On a length once more, ball was at the stumps too and Rashid goes down on one knee and plays a strong-wristed shot out to deep square leg, where the fielder puts in a tumbling dive. By then, the batters have already run two and they seal Afghanistan's qualification to the World Cup!
44.4
0
Tector to Rashid Khan, no run, Rashid down on one knee but it's another dot. He swipes it right to square leg
44.3
0
Tector to Rashid Khan, no run, Rashid runs down the pitch and looks for a grand loft down the ground to finish it all off. But the ball catches the edge off his bat and goes out to midwicket

Just two needed to win now.

44.2
4
Tector to Rashid Khan, FOUR, Sent out to deep backward point and it's a smart boundary played out quite late here
44.1
0
Tector to Rashid Khan, no run, Tector on his knees with a last-gasp appeal, but the umpire won't budge on this one. Was lobbed up, then spun in. And yeah, huge inside edge off an attempted Rashid drive

END OF OVER:
44 | 7 Runs | AFG: 201/7 (6 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 4.56, RRR: 1.00)

  • Rashid Khan31 (38b)
  • Yamin Ahmadzai4 (26b)
  • Jai Moondra10-0-67-0
  • Harry Tector4-0-13-0
43.6
1
Moondra to Rashid Khan, 1 run, Now Rashid uses those supple wrists of his to swipe another pull out of the kitty, despite crouching out of the way and completely out of shape. Timed to long leg
43.5
4
Moondra to Rashid Khan, FOUR, Rashid brings Afghanistan to the cusp of victory with this swipe! Was short and had no venom behind the shot. It's sent out to deep square leg off the middle of his bat

And now the silly mid-off goes out for Rashid

43.4
1
Moondra to Yamin Ahmadzai, 1 run, Where's that come out... Won't help Ireland's cause, oh wait, not a no-ball it seems. Was a hiiiigh full toss that dripped right before it reached Ahmadzai, who drove it past the silly mid-off standing near the drive (with no helmet on, sigh)
43.3
0
Moondra to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, On the stumps and driven out to extra cover
43.2
0
Moondra to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, Back of a length and angled in, ball glides out to covers
43.1
1
Moondra to Rashid Khan, 1 run, A little short, and Khan drives it out to deep extra cover and decides to turn over the strike once more

END OF OVER:
43 | 1 Run | AFG: 194/7 (13 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 4.51, RRR: 1.85)

  • Yamin Ahmadzai3 (23b)
  • Rashid Khan25 (35b)
  • Harry Tector4-0-13-0
  • Mark Adair10-1-36-2
42.6
0
Tector to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, Ahmadzai's survived the over rather comfortably. Was tucked back to the bowler, despite being temtpingly lobbed up right at the stumps
42.5
0
Tector to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, On the pads and he tucks it out to midwicket
42.4
0
Tector to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, A peaceful defense back to the bowler once more
42.3
0
Tector to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, Length ball and driven back to the bowler. There's one fielder and a leg slip and a leg gully near the batter right now, btw.

They're taking a lot of time to set the field here. I suppose they know time is running out for them.

Zahir Habibi : "@Osama, actually it's a matter of disappointment that we feel troubled while having three wickets in hand for a 23 run chase. Our batting line to be questioned "

42.2
1
Tector to Rashid Khan, 1 run, Cut out to deep cover and Rashid gets off strike again
42.1
0
Tector to Rashid Khan, no run, Length outside off, driven back to the bowler

END OF OVER:
42 | 7 Runs | AFG: 193/7 (14 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 4.59, RRR: 1.75)

  • Rashid Khan24 (33b)
  • Yamin Ahmadzai3 (19b)
  • Mark Adair10-1-36-2
  • Jai Moondra9-0-60-0
41.6
1
Adair to Rashid Khan, 1 run, Rashid now ducks and plays a swat out to deep square at the same time, the ball flies out off the middle of his bat
41.5
1
Adair to Yamin Ahmadzai, 1 run, At the pads, and Ahmadzai plays a clueless flick straight to fine leg, where the diving fielder makes a mistake to let the ball right through his hands. It's collected near the deep fine leg ropes
41.4
0
Adair to Yamin Ahmadzai, no run, Short ball and Ahmadzai gets in an awkward tangle, sends it out to point
41.3
1
Adair to Rashid Khan, 1 run, Rashid goes for a booming drive down the ground once more, jogs to the other end
41.2
0
Adair to Rashid Khan, no run, Full-ish at the stumps, and driven out to mid-on now

Osama: "@Zahir gosh your comparison! You're ragebaiting right?"

41.1
4
Adair to Rashid Khan, FOUR, Rashid putting pedal to the metal here, finally, and he finally swats one all the way to the ropes. Was a short ball directed right at his ribs and he sends it out to cow corner, where the fielder's valiant dive can't pull it in

Afghanistan 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st53Ibrahim ZadranRahmanullah Gurbaz
2nd31Rahmanullah GurbazSediqullah Atal
3rd13Rahmat ShahRahmanullah Gurbaz
4th35Hashmatullah ShahidiRahmanullah Gurbaz
5th17Darwish RasooliRahmanullah Gurbaz
6th5Azmatullah OmarzaiDarwish Rasooli
7th22Rashid KhanAzmatullah Omarzai
8th31Yamin AhmadzaiRashid Khan