Afghanistan Clinch ODI Series Against Ireland, Secure Direct Qualification for 2027 World Cup
Afghanistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series and booking their spot in the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup.
The story
At the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast yesterday, Afghanistan secured a crucial three-wicket victory over Ireland in the third One-Day International. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Afghanistan's spin attack, led by Rashid Khan (3/44) and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (3/29), restricted Ireland to 206 runs in 46.3 overs. Yamin Ahmadzai also chipped in with two wickets.
Chasing 207, Afghanistan's opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz anchored the innings with a fluent 71 runs off 77 balls, including his eighth ODI half-century. Despite a middle-order wobble, with Ireland's Gavin Hoey claiming 4/34, Rashid Khan's unbeaten 37 runs from 43 balls guided Afghanistan to the target in 45 overs, securing the win with seven wickets down. This victory not only sealed the series for Afghanistan but also ensured their direct qualification for the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland vs Afghanistan | ODI | Afghanistan won by 3 wickets | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) 71 (77) & Gavin Hoey (IRE) 4/34 |
| Rwanda vs Zambia | T20I | Result not available yet |
Series in play
Afghanistan tour of Ireland, 2026. 3rd ODI, Afghanistan lead 2-0 (of 5 matches)
Malawi Tri-Series 2026. 1st Match, Rwanda vs Zambia is currently underway
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 Qualification | Afghanistan directly qualified | Secured a top-eight position on the ODI rankings ladder, bypassing qualifiers. |
What we'll be watching
- United Arab Emirates vs Canada, 126th Match, ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023-27, Forthill (2026-08-11T10:00Z)
- Malawi vs Zambia, 2nd Match, Malawi Tri-Series 2026, TCA Oval (2026-08-11T11:00Z)
- Ireland vs Afghanistan [ODI], 4th ODI, Civil Service Cricket Club (2026-08-12T09:45Z)
- Australia vs Bangladesh [Test], 1st Test, Day 1, Marrara Cricket Ground (2026-08-13T00:30Z)
- Norway vs Iran [T20I], 1st Match, Norway T20I Tri-Series, 2026, TBC (2026-08-13T07:15Z)
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.