Afghanistan have won the 4th ODI from Ireland by 42 runs. Afghanistan completed a dominant 3-0 ODI series sweep over Ireland after another convincing performance.
The visitors may not have been at their most polished with the ball. However, their strong batting display gave them enough cushion to control the contest.
Afghanistan posted their highest ODI total after Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran produced a remarkable opening partnership. The pair added 231 runs together. Both batters from Afghanistan reached three figures and put Ireland under immense pressure in 4th ODI.
Atal led the way with a brilliant 143. Zadran also played a major role in building the huge total.
Ireland eventually fought back during the closing stages. They picked up several wickets late in the innings.
Byron McDonough claimed three wickets. Mark Adair and Gavin Hoey took two each.
Nevertheless, Afghanistan finished with a commanding total after Ireland struggled to contain the top order. Ireland needed an exceptional start while chasing the imposing target.
Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie chose a cautious approach early on. Ireland reached 47 without losing a wicket in the Powerplay. However, two quick dismissals changed the momentum.
Balbirnie then took responsibility. He added 76 with Harry Tector and later shared another valuable 73-run stand with Curtis Campher.
The Irish skipper eventually completed an impressive century. Yet he fell soon afterward, triggering another setback.
Campher kept Ireland’s hopes alive with a spectacular 84 from only 46 balls. His aggressive innings briefly gave the hosts belief.
Still, Ireland could not maintain the required scoring rate. The lack of support around Campher eventually proved costly.
Afghanistan’s bowlers did not produce their cleanest performance of the series. They also dropped a few chances in the field.
Rashid Khan once again led the attack with three wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai claimed two, while Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar added another.
However, Yamin Ahmadzai delivered the decisive spell. He claimed four wickets and finished off Ireland’s resistance when the pressure was highest.
Afghanistan therefore completed the chase with authority and secured a memorable series whitewash. The result capped a commanding campaign for Afghanistan.
Ireland showed plenty of character, particularly while chasing a massive target against Afghanistan in 4th ODI. However, the visitors consistently produced the better performances when the decisive moments arrived.
The 3-0 scoreline underlines Afghanistan’s growing strength in ODI cricket. For Ireland, the series offered encouraging glimpses but also exposed areas that need improvement.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, leave the series with plenty of confidence after completing a clean sweep on Irish soil.