The 143* composed by skipper Rahmat Shah, compiled after his side got into trouble at 22 for 2, secured Afghanistan a straight-set 4-0 win over Ireland on Saturday (August 15). Chasing 299, Afghanistan lost both their openers early before Rahmat shared a 201-run stand with Siddiqullah Atal (98) to lead the visitors to a six-wicket win.
With a big total to defend, Ireland started well with the new ball. Ibrahim Zadran was the first to go down trying to pull against Liam McCarthy in the fourth half. An over later, George Dockrell had an excellent catch running backwards from mid-on to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz and give McCarthy his second wicket. After taking control, Ireland remained disciplined for the rest of the Powerplay, with Afghanistan scoring just 30 for 2.
Rahmat and Atal remained patient and bided their time. The required run rate rose to over 7 runs early in the 13th over but the batters never lost their composure. The shift in tempo came in the 16th over as Rahmat hit Gavin Hoey for a six over deep mid-wicket and Atal backed him up three balls later.
After the duo settled down and got comfortable at the crease, they confidently punished anything that was loose. Both batsmen reached their fifties and continued to hit timely boundaries as Ireland’s desperation continued. The partnership, which was largely uncoincidental except for the top edge landing safely and a slight mix-up, swelled to 200 by the 40th over.
Just as it looked as if Ireland were out of hope, McCarthy came back to break the partnership. Keen to get to three figures, Attal lofted a long drive towards deep center only for Kade Carmichael to pounce and take a stunning shot. Veteran Rahmat did not make the same mistake, as he reached his first century in more than five years at the age of 42.
Azmatullah Omarzai also played a crucial role, contributing a 14-ball 24 in a 56-run partnership with Rahmat, to decisively tip the scales of the match in Afghanistan’s favour. Fittingly, it was the captain who sealed Afghanistan’s highest run chase in ODIs with a boundary in the 49th over.
Earlier in the day, both teams made three changes each with the series already decided. Afghanistan chose to bowl when winning the toss and caused the Irish opener a lot of problems with the new ball. In the end, it was Omarzai who scored twice in the seventh game to remove both Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Sterling. AM Ghazanfar then snapped two emerging partnerships, first dismissing Carmichael in the 15th over and then Lorcan Tucker in the 19th over.
Harry Tector and Curtis Kamfer then stitched a crucial 55-run stand before Nangialia Kharoti dismissed Tector for 53. Dockrell then joined forces with Kamfer and the duo ensured Ireland did not lose momentum. While Omarzai returned to end the threatening 72-run stand, Afghanistan were unable to contain Ireland at the death. The hosts managed to make 101 runs from the last 10 overs, with Kampher’s carnage ending on 96 when he was dismissed by Salim Safi in the final over of the innings.
Summary scores: Ireland 298/7 in 50 overs (Curtis Campher 96, Harry Tector 55; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-74) lost to Afghanistan 302/4 in 48.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 143*, Siddiqullah Atal 98; Liam McCarthy 3-47) by 6 wickets.
