KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan defeated Ireland by six wickets in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) in Belfast on Saturday, with captain Rahmat Shah hitting an unbeaten century to complete a 4-0 series victory.
Chasing a target of 299, Afghanistan reached 302 for four in 48.5 overs, with Rahmat Shah remaining unbeaten on 143 from 133 balls.
Sediqullah Atal also played a crucial role, scoring 98 runs from 112 deliveries. The pair shared a 201-run partnership for the third wicket, rescuing Afghanistan after the visitors had slipped to 22 for two.
Ireland, after being asked to bat first, posted a competitive 298 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.
Curtis Campher was Ireland’s leading scorer, narrowly missing out on a century with 96 runs from 84 balls. Harry Tector contributed 53, while George Dockrell added 31.
For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 74 runs. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar took two wickets, while Mohammad Saleem Safi and Nangeyalia Kharote claimed one each.
Ireland made a steady start before Afghanistan struck at regular intervals. Tector provided stability in the middle order, while Campher accelerated the scoring towards the end of the innings.
Campher’s late assault helped Ireland score 101 runs in the final 10 overs and finish just short of the 300-run mark.
Afghanistan’s chase began poorly. Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed early, followed soon after by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, leaving the visitors in trouble at 22 for two.
Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal then took control of the innings.
The two batters initially played cautiously before increasing the scoring rate as the partnership grew. Atal reached 98 before being dismissed by Liam McCarthy, ending the 201-run stand.
Rahmat, however, continued his commanding innings and brought up his sixth ODI century. He remained unbeaten on 143, striking 13 fours and two sixes.
Azmatullah Omarzai added a quick 24 from 14 balls before falling, while Hashmatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten on nine as Afghanistan completed the chase with seven balls to spare.
Rahmat Shah was named Player of the Match, while Rashid Khan was named Player of the Series.
The result gave Afghanistan a 4-0 series victory. The opening ODI was washed out, while Afghanistan won each of the remaining four matches.
The victory also provided a strong finish to Rahmat Shah’s first ODI series as Afghanistan captain.
sa
