Afghanistan vs Ireland Live Score, 5th ODI of Afghanistan tour of Ireland, 2026

On a good run - That's what the stats say. Afghanistan have now registered series wins in 6 out of their last 7 ODI series. Their opponents were Ireland (twice), South Africa, Bangladesh (twice) and Zimbabwe. The one series which they were unable to win in this phase was against India. So the signs of a good team are there. But as Rashid keeps on saying, it is now time to get one better. Figure out ways to beat teams in the top 6, top 4 and so on. But to reach that stage, such series wins also matter as they build momentum. Rashid Khan was a key factor in Afghanistan's wins in this series, but the others have also shown their potential. They now head back to India, for a 3-match T20I series starting 13th September, 2026. Ireland, on the other hand, after their exponential high against India, have come down crashing after this series. Not winning the series is one thing, but not able to win even a single match will hurt. They too, are a proud nation with players having good potential, but lack of consistent opportunities keeps making them rusty. The Irish will hope to get a few more bilateral series in the future. Right now, we don't know what their immediate future holds. But it is a good time for the unit to get together and go through their highs and lows over the past few months. That is all we have for you from this series. Thanks a lot for tuning in. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Do catch all the action from Bangladesh's tour of Australia and India's tour of Sri Lanka. Until next time, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Our preparation was good - The victorious skipper of Afghanistan, RAHMAT SHAH, says that before Afghanistan reached Ireland, they had a preparation camp in Birmingham. Adds that the weather over there is similar to how it is in Ireland, so their preparation was good. He is asked about the feeling of winning without Rashid Khan, to which Rahmat honestly says that they did miss Rashid in this match. But praises the spinners for bowling really well in the middle overs. Credits Sediqullah Atal's fine knock and feels that their left-right combination (Atal-Rahmat partnership) was working well, which is why they won the match. On their win in alien conditions, Shah humbly says that Afghanistan are lucky to have Rashid Khan. Lauds the way he performed and also the way the top order gelled in this series.

Bit of a transition phase - The captain of Ireland, PAUL STIRLING, starts by saying that it is disappointing to lose the series 0-4. Admits that they were outplayed, and credits Rashid Khan, who dismantled them with the ball. But he also feels that Ireland had chances in all of those games, which they didn't take. Further mentions that they are very much used to playing with the same bunch of players, who play regularly, so this is a bit of a transition phase and they will look to build little by little and gear up for the World Cup Qualifiers.

PLAYER OF THE SERIES - The award goes to Afghanistan's star player, RASHID KHAN. The maestro was the leading wicket taker of the series, with 12 scalps at an average of 10.58 and an economy of 4.59. He also showed his potential with the bat in the third ODI, where a quickfire unbeaten 37 (43) helped the visitors overcome a self-inflicted nervy chase. Rashid calls this match win an amazing job, especially with the bat. Praises the manner in which Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal took the chase deep. Understands that this was Afghanistan's highest successful run chase in ODIs. Feels very good to see the way Rahmat played, coming off the poor rut of form and hopes his form and Afghanistan's winning run continue. On how does the team move forward from here, Khan says that the team is moving in the right direction. But what they now need to think next is how to win against the bigger teams. Ends by saying that bowling and batting at the death need to improve and once they improve that, Afghanistan are going to be in good contention for the next World Cup.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - The award goes to the Afghan skipper, RAHMAT SHAH, for his magnificent unbeaten 143 (133). Rahmat says that it had been a long time since he made a hundred for his country, so he is happy. Adds that him and Sediqullah Atal just waited for the bad balls and had a chat about which bowlers to target and whom to give respect to. On the performance of Atal, Shah says that it was a good partnership between them and they took turns in attacking the bowlers.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

A good effort with the bat - Earlier, in the first innings, Ireland batted well after a sedate start, getting nearly close to 300, thanks to 101 runs coming in the last 10 overs. Curtis Campher (96) and Harry Tector (53) were at the centre of that masterpiece as they showcased Ireland's batting depth. Despite Rashid Khan not playing this game, Afghanistan bowled pretty well for the first 40 overs, but lost their way again in the last 10. Azmatullah Omarzai picked up 3 wickets but he too, received a lot of pasting at the death. The spinners - AM Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote and the surprise factor - Hashmatullah Shahidi - bowled really well in the middle overs, at least staving off 20-30 runs from Ireland's final total. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

Bang, then bust - That's how Ireland would have felt. Liam McCarthy got the stone rolling dismissing both the openers within his third over, but after that, the team had to wait for 35 overs for the third wicket. They tried their level best, but just could not break through that massive stand between Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal. Additionally, George Dockrell went off the field with back spasms and his bowling was sorely missed. With limited bowling options, Paul Stirling tried to rotate his bowlers but just could not find a way to keep Afghanistan quiet. Liam McCarthy bowled his heart out, with 3/47 in 10 overs.

Take your time, it is a long day - In this fast age of T20s, T10s and the 100s, we actually forget that the game is not that short as it seems. Afghanistan certainly reminded us of that. At 22/2 in the 6th over, with both openers dismissed, they were against the wall. For the next few overs, the chase seemed to be stalled, with both, Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah content in just blocking out the balls. Little did we know what was coming. The visitors were 49/2 after 15 overs. They reached 222/2 at the end of the 40th - that is, 173 runs in 25 overs. Clean batting, minimum risks taken. The pair respected the bowling when the conditions were tough. Then, when the conditions got slightly easier, cashed in. Rahmat and Atal targetted Gavin Hoey and never really looked back. The 201-run stand for the third wicket killed the chase around the 35th over itself. Atal missed out on his century by just 2 runs, but his skipper went on to bat till the end, finishing on an unbeaten 143, his highest score in ODIs. Before this match, Rahmat was going through a very lean patch but he saved his best for the last.

A day of firsts - Before this game, the highest score chased down by Afghanistan in ODIs was 283. Before this match, the highest successful ODI run chase in Belfast was 243. Before this day, Afghanistan had never managed a clean sweep over an opponent in a bilateral series of 4 or more matches. Managing all these firsts, AFGHANISTAN ALSO RECORD THEIR 10TH SUCCESSIVE ODI WIN OVER IRELAND! The last time the Irish did manage to beat the Afghans in an ODI was in the pre-Covid era, way back in 2019.

FOUR! AFGHANISTAN WIN 4-0! Fittingly, it is the skipper who seals the game. Half volley, on middle, Rahmat Shah leans across and flicks it through mid-wicket to find the fence. His hands go aloft in celebration and the Afghan fans are jumping up in sheer joy. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 6 WICKETS AND 7 BALLS TO SPARE!

Right then. The best batter of the match gets a chance to finish this off.

SCORES LEVEL NOW. On a length, around off, Hashmatullah gets across and tucks it through mid on for a quick single.

A quick short ball, outside off, Shahidi looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes past the stumps behind.

Fuller, outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi leans and drives it beautifully through the covers. Sweeper gets across to his left and slides, keeping the ball in play. The batters take a couple.

Dropped short, around middle, Rahmat Shah swivels across and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Should be the final over of the match and series. Moondra takes up the responsibility.

On a good length, around middle, Shahidi works it to the right of deep square leg for a couple. 13 from the over, Liam McCarthy finishes with bowling figures of 10-1-47-3.

FOUR! A bit too straight, Hashmatullah Shahidi tickles it to the fine leg fence to get off the mark. Just 7 more needed now.

Full and straight, the skipper eases this towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Slower ball, short in length, outside off, Shah waits for the ball to arrive and then cuts it behind point for a boundary.

Dropped short, outside off, Rahmat pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.

On a length, outside off, Rahmat Shah feels for it but misses.

Medical attention for Shahidi. This is after that blow on the 5th ball of the previous over. The magic spray is done and we are ready to continue. Liam McCarthy will bowl out. 9-1-34-3 so far.

Outside off, tapped to point for a run. A wicket and 12 runs from the over, Jai Moondra's bowling figures read 9-0-58-1 so far.

That would have stung. On a good length, outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to defend but the ball rears up suddenly. Shahidi has nowhere to go and the ball pings him hard on the gloves, dropping down on the leg side. A quick single taken. In fact, leg bye has been signalled.

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in next, at numbr 6, replacing Omarzai.

OUT! EXCEPTIONAL FROM HOEY! May not matter in the context of the game, but credit needs to be given where it is due. Dug in short, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai waits for the ball to arrive and then ramps it over short third. But he is not quite able to connect cleanly and the ball goes off the under edge. It goes low and wide to the right of short third by Gavin Hoey flings himself to his right and catches it one-handed! Somethng to celebrate for Ireland on this difficult day. Omarzai's cameo ends in a quickfire stand of 56. AFGHANISTAN ARE 279/4, needing another 20 runs from 20 balls.

On a good length, outside off, angling in, Azmatullah looks to tap and run, but gets it off the inner half of the bat, back to the bowler.

FOUR! Exceptional batting. Full, around off, Omarzai goes to the leg side again, reaches out and drives it through the covers. Paul Stirling dives to his right at cover but it is in vain and the ball races through.