The match was reduced
to 47 overs per side due to rain. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 299 for
eight, powered by Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive 84 and Sediqullah Atal’s 45. Mark
Adair and Joy Munda took two wickets each for Ireland.
Ireland made a
promising start while chasing 300, reaching 96 for one in 14.1 overs. But
Rashid then turned the match decisively in Afghanistan’s favour.
The Irish side
collapsed from 96 to 207, losing their remaining nine wickets. They were
eventually bowled out for 207 in 33.4 overs, with Cade Carmichael top-scoring
with 62.
Rashid was
particularly destructive during the final stages of the innings. He claimed
four of Ireland’s final seven wickets, including five wickets during a collapse
that saw the hosts lose their last five batters for just nine runs.
The Afghanistan
captain finished with remarkable figures of six for 34 from 7.4 overs. Of his
46 legal deliveries, 23 were dot balls. His performance earned him the Player
of the Match award.
It was Rashid’s
seventh five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. No other current spinner has taken as
many five-wicket hauls in the format.
The six-wicket haul
was also Rashid’s third in an ODI innings. Only Pakistan legend Waqar Younis,
with five such performances, is ahead of him on the list.
The first ODI of the series was abandoned due to rain. Afghanistan’s emphatic victory in the second match now puts them ahead in the series.

Saturday, August 8, 2026
Published Date : August 8, 2026
