Cricket News / Rashid Khan Leads Afghanistan to 2027 World Cup After Thrilling Win Over Ireland
Key Points
Belfast, August 11: Afghanistan booked their place at the 2027 ODI World Cup in Southern Africa after a thrilling three-wicket victory over Ireland in the second match of their five-game series, with captain Rashid Khan once again proving decisive with both bat and ball.
The victory gave Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series and confirmed their qualification for a fourth consecutive ODI World Cup. Rashid played a pivotal role in the result, taking three wickets to help restrict Ireland to 206 before scoring an unbeaten 37 to guide Afghanistan home with more than five overs to spare.
Afghanistan appeared firmly in control after reducing Ireland to 128 for eight, but a remarkable ninth-wicket partnership brought the hosts back into contention. Young leg-spinner Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra added a record 76 runs for the ninth wicket, rescuing Ireland from a precarious position.
Hoey top-scored with 36, while Moondra made 31 in only his second ODI innings. Moondra displayed impressive composure against Afghanistan’s spinners, using sharp footwork and attacking strokes to keep the scoreboard moving.
Ireland eventually folded in the 47th over when Hoey attempted a big shot against Azmatullah Omarzai and was bowled. Rashid and fellow spinner Allah Ghazanfar had earlier done significant damage to Ireland’s top order, with key wickets including Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher and Ben Calitz.
Ireland’s bowlers then made Afghanistan work hard for the target. Afghanistan began the chase positively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking the attack to the Irish fast bowlers. He was particularly effective against Jai Moondra, who struggled to generate the movement produced earlier by Mark Adair.
Gurbaz brought up his eighth ODI half-century with a powerful shot over deep midwicket and looked set to steer Afghanistan towards victory. However, Ireland fought back through Hoey and Adair.
Gurbaz eventually departed for 71, while Sediqullah Atal was dismissed for 27 after dragging Hoey's delivery to long-on. Rahmat Shah then fell to an excellent delivery from Adair that nipped back and struck the top of off stump.
Hoey continued to trouble Afghanistan with disciplined, stump-to-stump bowling and clever changes of pace. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Darwish Rasooli also fell as Ireland applied further pressure. When Omarzai was caught at cover attempting a lofted shot, Afghanistan were suddenly in danger of throwing away a chase that had initially appeared straightforward.
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✨With Afghanistan under pressure, Rashid once again demonstrated why he remains one of the world's most influential all-rounders.
The Afghanistan captain played a composed innings, resisting the temptation to attack prematurely. He waited patiently until only 15 runs were required before shifting gears.
A wristy whip reduced the target to single figures, and Rashid then finished the chase in style. He struck a couple off Harry Tector in the 45th over to complete Afghanistan's three-wicket victory and spark celebrations in the Afghan camp.
The result capped another outstanding performance from Rashid, who had already impressed earlier in the series with six wickets. His continued form with both bat and ball has provided Afghanistan with a major boost ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
For Ireland, Hoey's four-wicket haul and the ninth-wicket rescue act with Moondra provided plenty of positives despite the defeat. However, Afghanistan's experience and composure ultimately proved decisive.
With their World Cup qualification now secured and a 2-0 series lead established, Afghanistan will look to maintain their momentum in the remaining three matches against Ireland.
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