Afghanistan earned direct qualification for the ODI World Cup 2027 in Southern Africa by pipping Ireland to the post in the volatile third match at Belfast. The hosts crumbled against spin once more to lose seven batters for just 65 runs in the middle phase before Jai Moondra and Gavin Hoey added 76 for the ninth wicket to give themselves something to work with. What appeared to be a manageable chase was spruced up by an excellent spell from the leg-spinner, who found plenty of purchase in damp conditions to pick four wickets including the prized scalp of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Ultimately, a cameo from Rashid Khan secured an unassailable lead even though it seemed like the 34 extras leaked in the first innings are coming back to bite Afghanistan.
The only change across the playing elevens was the inclusion of seamer Yamin Ahmadzai at the expense of the wayward Saleem Safi. He swung the ball both ways and nearly had Paul Stirling caught at third man as an away-nibbler resulted in a shooting edge. Fazalhaq Farooqi got rid of the technically inept Andrew Balbirnie from the other end with an inviting half volley outside the off-stump. It was there to drive, however the execution warrants the bulwark to an earful from the coach. His front foot remained glued to the crease as the flailing willow nicked the tempter behind. Lack of feet movement has now cost him for the second game running after a lazy cut off Rashid.
Fresh off a fifty, Cade Carmichael drove Farooqi down the ground with a sense of purpose that belied his international experience. He stroked an equally elegant on-drive next off Ahmadzai as Afghanistan quicks began to falter towards the culmination of their long early bursts. Rahmat Shah wanted to have plenty of spin at his disposal when the ball started to soften and the tactic paid huge dividends, with Rashid trapping Carmichael through a googly and AM Ghazanfar pinning Lorcan Tucker on the backfoot. Ireland were suddenly struggling for air, and a return catch offered by Curtis Campher that was initially perceived as bump-ball only made matters worse.
Then came an absolute peach with Harry Tector’s name written on it, courtesy of Rashid. It was a dream delivery for any tweaker, consisting of all the luscious ingredients: flight, dip, turn. Lured forward into an expansive drive, the youngster heard the death rattle as the wrong ‘un barged through the gate. With the ship sinking, all Ireland had to ensure was that sensible cricket took precedence. However, Mark Adair’s ugly swipe to the leg side was anything but. Ben Calitz, the last recognized batter, chipped a flick to mid-wicket as Ireland neared their demise with twenty overs still left. Moondra and Hoey, albeit, showed tremendous application to weather the storm.
As the new-ball merchants returned for their second spell, Moondra rode the bounce well to square cut Azmatullah Omarzai, who was later pulled to the fence by the left-right combination. Eventually the growing frustration of Afghanistan was pacified by Ahmadzai, but by that point Ireland had taken their total into respectable territory. Chasing 207, Gurbaz adopted a helter-skelter approach again. On occasions he maintained his balance and looked to time the ball the results were outstanding, but for each instance of a sweet connection there was a miscue waiting around the corner since he didn’t seem to rely on his supreme hand-eye coordination, instead choosing to make things happen. Naturally, chances were created, yet Ireland squandered a few in a defence where they couldn’t afford schoolboy errors. Like, the missed run-out at the non-striker’s end due to an improper collection by Adair.
A wild heave at a length ball from Gurbaz led to an opportunity at extra cover, although Tector couldn’t convert the half-chance despite best efforts. The chaotic energy of his partner rubbed off on Ibrahim Zadran, the top-scorer in the previous game, as an untamed pull spelt his doom. The half-century milestone eluded Sediqullah Atal in his last outing and his initial boundaries spoke of the hunger within. Yet, the introduction of Hoey threw a wrench in his plans. The idea to hit his way out of trouble backfired, with Adair covering good ground to seal Ireland’s twin strike. Captain Paul Stirling went on the offensive, planting a leg gully and second slip for Hoey, who conceded only 15 runs in the first half of his quota. The rewards for that discipline soon followed, as both Gurbaz and Darwish Rasooli miscued shots to leave Afghanistan in the lurch. The opener departed after going past 100 runs in the series; his exit tilting the scales firmly in Ireland’s favour.
The onus was on all-rounders Rashid and Omarzai to apply the finishing touches to Afghanistan’s pursuit. The asking rate had dropped to three but Ireland were still in with a shout because offie Tector had overs up his sleeve on a helpful track. So did the mature Adair, having cleaned up Rahmat with a beaut of an inducker. Rashid was solid as a rock, nonetheless, handling the weak moments with calculated aggression to usher Afghanistan closer to the target. An inside out cover drive preceded some breezy pulls, reigniting the voice of the Afghans in the crowd. He trusted Ahmadzai to hold his end even after Adair removed Omarzai to lend another twist to the tale. His box-office 37 off 43 balls booked a berth for the war-torn nation in the upcoming marquee event.
