Afghanistan earn direct qualification for 2027 ODI World Cup with win over Ireland
Brief scores: Afghanistan (207/7 in 44.5 overs) beat Ireland (206 in 46.3 overs) by 3 wickets
Rashid Khan held his nerve under pressure to guide Afghanistan to a three-wicket win over Ireland in Belfast on Monday and secure their direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Chasing 207, Afghanistan looked in control at 97 for two before Ireland fought its way back into the contest. They slipped to 154 for six and then 176 for seven, with Gavin Hoey’s four-wicket spell putting Ireland within sight of a remarkable comeback.
Ireland vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI: Highlights
Rashid, however, stayed composed and finished unbeaten on 37 off 43 balls, hitting four boundaries. Along with Yamin Ahmadzai, who remained not out on four from 26 balls, he took Afghanistan to 207 for seven in 44.5 overs to seal a three-wicket victory and, with it, their place at next year’s World Cup.
Afghanistan had gone into the match knowing a win would guarantee direct qualification for the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The victory also gave them a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening ODI was washed out and Afghanistan won the second match by 92 runs.
Rashid had earlier played a key role with the ball, taking 3/44 as Afghanistan’s spinners kept Ireland’s batters under pressure. AM Ghazanfar also claimed three wickets, with the pair combining to account for six of Ireland’s wickets.
Ireland were struggling at 128 for eight when Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra produced a crucial ninth-wicket partnership. The pair added 76 runs, a record ninth-wicket stand for Ireland in ODIs, to give their side a total they could defend.
Hoey top-scored with 36, while Moondra made 31 in only his second ODI innings. Moondra used his feet well against Afghanistan’s spinners and played with enough intent to keep Ireland’s innings moving.
The partnership ended when Moondra edged Yamin Ahmadzai behind. Ahmadzai was making his first ODI appearance since 2022. Hoey was dismissed soon after, bowled by Azmatullah Omarzai while attempting a big shot down the ground.
Afghanistan made a positive start to their chase, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking on Ireland’s pace attack. He reached his eighth ODI half-century and appeared to have put Afghanistan firmly on course for victory.
Hoey then turned the game around with a superb spell through the middle overs. The leg-spinner finished with 4/34, removing Sediqullah Atal for 27 before Mark Adair bowled Rahmat Shah after finding movement off the surface.
Hoey went on to dismiss Hashmatullah Shahidi, while Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai also fell as Afghanistan’s chase began to unravel.
With Afghanistan seven wickets down and still needing 31 runs, Ireland sensed an opportunity. Rashid did not allow the pressure to force him into unnecessary risks, instead staying at the crease and gradually bringing the target within reach.
When Afghanistan needed 15 more, Rashid began to open up. A wristy whip took the target into single figures before he completed the chase with two runs off Harry Tector in the 45th over.
The win means Afghanistan will feature in their fourth consecutive ODI World Cup, with their direct qualification for the 2027 tournament now confirmed.
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