Rashid and AM Ghazanfar Masterclass Restricted Ireland to 206 in 3rd ODI

Belfast: A relentless bowling performance from Afghanistan’s spin and pace attack restricted Ireland to a modest 206 all out in 46.3 overs in 3rd ODI. Looking to bounce back and level the five-match series, the Irish batting lineup struggled heavily to break free from the stranglehold imposed by the Afghan bowlers.

After Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field under clear blue skies, their frontline bowlers immediately found joy on a disciplined pitch. Skipper Paul Stirling gave the hosts a brisk start with a 31-ball 23, but the top-order failed to convert their starts. Andrew Balbirnie fell early for 7 to Fazalhaq Farooqi in powerplay, and explosive middle-order batter Harry Tector was stifled, scratching his way to 14 off 27 deliveries before being dismissed. 

Cade Carmichael looked composure personified, anchoring the middle order with a steady 32 off 52 balls, hitting four boundaries before a sudden batting collapse triggered panic in the Irish camp. The spin maestro Rashid Khan, fresh from a match-winning six-wicket haul in Bready, was once again the chief destructor. Operating with precision, Rashid dismantled Ireland's lower-middle order, registering impressive figures of 3 for 44 in his 10 overs. 

He was brilliantly supported by the young off-spinner AM Ghazanfar, whose tight lines yielded a phenomenal 3 for 29 from nine overs. Together, the spin duo choked the run flow and left Ireland reeling at a precarious 128 for 8.

Just as a sub-150 total loomed, a spirited rearguard action from the tail gave the home fans something to cheer about. Gavin Hoey played an admirably gritty knock of 36 off 67 balls, anchoring an invaluable 50-run lower-order partnership. Alongside him, pace bowler Jai Moondra chipped in with a highly entertaining, counter-attacking 31 off 33 balls, smashing five boundaries to push the total past the 200-mark.

The resistance was finally broken in the 47th over when Azmatullah Omarzai castled Hoey to wrap up the innings at 206. While the late flourish provided some respectability to the scoreboard, Ireland’s bowlers now face a monumental task on a flattening track. 

Afghanistan requires 207 runs to win, a target that puts them firmly on the brink of locking in a commanding 2–0 series lead and wrapping up essential World Cup qualification points.

Watch IRE vs AFG 3rd ODI live on tapmad.