Atal, Zadran Hundreds Power Afghanistan to 3-0 ODI Series Win

Afghanistan’s latest win over Ireland has turned a five-match contest into a procession. They beat Ireland by 42 runs at Stormont on Wednesday, moving 3-0 ahead with one ODI still to play.

The first match of the tour was washed out by rain. Since then, Afghanistan have taken charge. Three completed games have produced three victories, and Ireland now have only one match left to avoid a clean sweep.

Sediqullah Atal set the tone with a career-best 143 from 120 balls, while Ibrahim Zadran added 107 from 118. Their 231-run stand for the second wicket gave Afghanistan the platform they needed after being sent in to bat.

Afghanistan posted 343 for nine in 50 overs. It was a total that looked imposing, yet Ireland had enough batting power to make the chase interesting.

Ireland Fight Back, But Afghanistan Shut the Door

Andy Balbirnie answered with a superb 109 from 119 balls. Curtis Campher also attacked hard, striking 84 from only 46 deliveries. For a stretch, Ireland looked capable of dragging the game deep.

Yamin Ahmadzai sparked Afghanistan’s bowling charge with four wickets, while Rashid Khan claimed three and Azmatullah Omarzai took two as Ireland were bowled out for 301 in 48 overs.

The 42-run margin tells the story, but the bigger issue for Ireland is the pattern. They have struggled to stop Afghanistan’s top order and then found themselves under pressure against a varied bowling attack.

For Afghanistan vs Ireland, this has been a statement series. The visitors have controlled the key moments in all three completed matches and now have a chance to finish the tour with a 4-0 scoreline.

For Ireland, the final ODI carries a different weight. The series is already gone. The remaining game is about pride, combinations and avoiding an emphatic clean sweep.

Afghanistan ODI series dominance has also given their younger batters valuable time in the middle. Atal’s hundred and Zadran’s century will grab the headlines, but the bowling unit deserves plenty of credit for closing out a chase that briefly threatened to become uncomfortable.

The fourth ODI was not a last-over thriller. It did not need to be. Afghanistan built the advantage early, absorbed Ireland’s best response and finished the job without panic.

The series now reaches its final stop with Ireland searching for answers and Afghanistan looking to put an emphatic stamp on the tour.