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Ireland vs Afghanistan, 4th ODI Commentary, Live Updates
IRE vs AFG, 2026 - ODI Live Commentary
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4th ODI Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
, Aug 12, 2026
% Chance to Win
IRE
AFG
Inn Break
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15.1
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
No run, that is punched off the back foot but straight to the fielder.
End Of The Over 15 : 92/1
5 Runs
- 214.1
- 114.2
- 014.3
- 114.4
- 114.5
- 014.6
S. Atal
31 (37)
I. Zadran
44 (44)
G. Hoey
1-0-5-0
14.6
0
Gavin Hoey To Sediqullah Atal
A bit short and around off, Sediqullah Atal steps across and pats it back to the bowler.
14.5
1
Gavin Hoey To Ibrahim Zadran
Flighted, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to defend but gets an inside edge through backward square leg for one.
14.4
1
Gavin Hoey To Sediqullah Atal
Tossed up, full and on off, Sediqullah Atal lunges out and taps it to the right of short cover for a run.
14.3
0
Gavin Hoey To Sediqullah Atal
Drops it short and on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal moves back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.
14.2
1
Gavin Hoey To Ibrahim Zadran
Floated, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it through covers for a single.
14.1
2
Gavin Hoey To Ibrahim Zadran
A loopy low full toss, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran glances it wide of deep fine for a couple of runs.
First look at spin then. Here's Gavin Hoey into the attack. He picked up an impressive four-wicket haul that nearly brought Afghanistan to their knees in that third ODI.
End Of The Over 14 : 87/1
11 Runs
- 413.1
- 013.2
- 113.3
- 013.4
- 113.5
- 1 NB 13.6
- 413.6
S. Atal
30 (34)
I. Zadran
40 (41)
L. McCarthy
3-0-18-0
13.6
4
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
FOUR! Makes full use of the Free Hit! Fuller delivery, on the pads. Sediqullah Atal picks it up and chips it nicely over mid-wicket for a boundary.
7 runs off the over so far, with a ball to go.
13.6
nb
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
Play and a miss! Back of a length and just on off, moving it away from the left-hander. Sediqullah Atal tries to punch it away but the ball zips past the outside edge to the keeper. Liam McCarthy appeals for a caught behind, but it is turned down. Well, it would not have mattered, as Liam has overstepped here. The replay shows it is touch-and-go, but the decision goes against the bowler. No Ball called. Free Hit up next...
13.5
1
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Touch fuller and around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it through covers for one.
13.4
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Good length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and blocks it out.
13.3
1
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
Short of a length and on off, Sediqullah Atal dabs it down to point for a single.
13.2
0
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
Beaten! Fuller in length and around off, shaping away, Sediqullah Atal gets drawn into the expansive drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.
13.1
4
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
EDGED AND FOUR! Liam McCarthy lands this back of a length and on off, holds its line. Sediqullah Atal tries to guide it with soft hands but ends up playing it too fine. It goes off the outer edge past the first slip and beats third man to his right for a boundary.
End Of The Over 13 : 76/1
10 Runs
- 412.1
- 412.2
- 112.3
- 112.4
- 012.5
- 012.6
I. Zadran
39 (39)
S. Atal
21 (29)
C. Campher
2-0-17-0
12.6
0
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
Hard length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets behind the line this time and keeps it out to the off side.
12.5
0
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
Hits the deck hard, on middle, nips back in, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and looks to play but misses and gets hit high on the pads.
12.4
1
Curtis Campher To Sediqullah Atal
Fuller and on off, Sediqullah Atal drives it away through covers for a run.
12.3
1
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
Back of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran opens the bat face and steers it through point for a single.
12.2
4
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Streaky! Short of a length and well outside off, shaping further away. Ibrahim Zadran slashes hard at it and gets an outside edge that flies over first slip, to the third man fence for another boundary.
12.1
4
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Up and over! Too fuller and on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets under it and, with a full extension of the arms, lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
End Of The Over 12 : 66/1
1 Runs
- 011.1
- 011.2
- 011.3
- 011.4
- 111.5
- 011.6
S. Atal
20 (28)
I. Zadran
30 (34)
L. McCarthy
2-0-7-0
11.6
0
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
Much fuller and around off, Sediqullah Atal drills it away but straight to Andy Balbirnie at short cover.
11.5
1
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Dug into the surface, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran rolls his wrists and pulls it along the ground to deep square leg for a single. That also brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.
11.4
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Short of a length and on middle, jags back in sharply. Ibrahim Zadran stays back to play at it but takes a blow on his body.
11.3
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Liam McCarthy bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran tries to go for the pull shot but is a bit late and misses.
11.2
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
On a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it away to short cover.
11.1
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Good length and on the leg stump line, angling in too. Ibrahim Zadran misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. There is a shout for LBW, but it is turned down. Clearly going down the leg.
End Of The Over 11 : 65/1
7 Runs
- 110.1
- 410.2
- 110.3
- 010.4
- 110.5
- 010.6
S. Atal
20 (27)
I. Zadran
29 (29)
C. Campher
1-0-7-0
10.6
0
Curtis Campher To Sediqullah Atal
Almost dragged on! Just short of a length and on off, nips back in. Sediqullah Atal stays back and looks to guide it away very close to his body. He gets a bottom edge as the ball just goes past the off pole.
10.5
1
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
Pitched up and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it away from short cover. Cade Carmichael dives to his left and gets a good hand on it to make a half-stop. They cross.
10.4
0
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
Back of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and stabs it out towards extra cover.
10.3
1
Curtis Campher To Sediqullah Atal
On a length and around leg Sediqullah Atal clips it through square leg for a run.
10.2
4
Curtis Campher To Sediqullah Atal
FOUR! Sloppy work in the deep! This is a half-volley, on off. Sediqullah Atal leans on and drills it firmly through cover-point. Ben Calitz from deep point runs to his left, gets to the ball but lets it through for a boundary.
10.1
1
Curtis Campher To Ibrahim Zadran
Fuller delivery and around off, Ibrahim Zadran strides out and drives it through covers for a single.
Powerplay 2! Ireland can now place four fielders outside the inner ring till the 40th over. Despite losing an early wicket, Afghanistan have scored at a brisk rate, helped by some inconsistency from the Irish pacers. Also, Curtis Campher replaces Mark Adair.
End Of The Over 10 : 58/1
7 Runs
- 09.1
- 09.2
- 49.3
- 09.4
- 1 LB 9.5
- 29.6
S. Atal
15 (24)
I. Zadran
27 (26)
L. McCarthy
1-0-6-0
9.6
2
Liam McCarthy To Sediqullah Atal
Very full from McCarthy, on the leg stump. This is gently clipped off the pads by Atal. The ball rolls behind square leg and they hustle back for the second run. AFGHANISTAN END THEIR POWERPLAY AT 58/1!
9.5
lb
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Aims the pads, on a fullish length. Ibrahim Zadran misses the flick and the ball ricochets off the thigh pad towards widish mid-wicket. The batters swoop across for a quick leg bye.
9.4
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Back of a length, on top of off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it on the rise to the cover region.
9.3
4
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Picture-perfect shot! Overpitched from Liam, around off. Ibrahim Zadran carves it through mid off and cover for a beautifully timed boundary. He moves to 27 (26).
9.2
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Nearly a yorker, on the stumps. Ibrahim jams the bat down in the nick of time and shovels it out to the cover region.
9.1
0
Liam McCarthy To Ibrahim Zadran
Starts from over the stumps, and lands it full around off. Ibrahim Zadran drives it to the cover fielder.
Liam McCarthy comes in as the first bowling change.
End Of The Over 9 : 51/1
5 Runs
- 08.1
- 08.2
- 08.3
- 08.4
- 48.5
- 18.6
I. Zadran
23 (21)
S. Atal
13 (23)
M. Adair
5-0-30-0
8.6
1
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Much fuller than the previous ball, outside off. Ibrahim guides it to deep third for a single.
8.5
4
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Fantastic timing and placement. 50 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN! Short in length, at the head height of the batter. Ibrahim Zadran controls the pull shot by rolling his wrists, swivels and hammers it through deep square leg for a cracking boundary.
8.4
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Pitched fuller and on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran nails the straight drive, but Adair makes a fine stop on his follow-through, dragging both his hands around his left knee.
8.3
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Beautiful away shape, full and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran plays with soft hands and dabs it to the short third fielder.
8.2
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Variable bounce! Short of a length, outside off, curving away. Ibrahim Zadran tries to unfurl the punch through cover, but the ball keeps low and beats the under egde.
8.1
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Nip-backer on a fuller length, on middle, Zadran tries to defend off the front foot, but inside edges on the front pad and the drops on the pitch, well in front of the bowler.
End Of The Over 8 : 46/1
4 Runs
- 07.1
- 07.2
- 47.3
- 07.4
- 07.5
- 07.6
S. Atal
13 (23)
I. Zadran
18 (15)
B. McDonough
4-0-21-1
7.6
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Nagging length, outside off. Left alone by Atal.
7.5
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Ohh, this one stays awfully low off the surface. Good length, outside off, and Sediqullah Atal hangs back looking to punch it off the back foot on the off side, but the ball skids through low, catching the inside edge on its way through to the keeper.
7.4
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Attacks the stumps, on a length, Sediqullah Atal blocks it watchfully from the crease.
7.3
4
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
FOUR! Loose ball and it gets the treatment! Onto the pads, fuller in length, shaping down further. Sediqullah Atal uses the pace of the ball and glances it through short fine leg, beating Ben Calitz to his left for a boundary.
7.2
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Consistently angles it across the batter, pitching it hard on a length. Atal shows no interest of poking at that one.
7.1
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
BEATEN! Bounces off the track, outside off, on a shorter length. Sediqullah Atal tries to loft it over cover but misses out.
End Of The Over 7 : 42/1
3 Runs
- 06.1
- 06.2
- 06.3
- 16.4
- 16.5
- 16.6
S. Atal
9 (17)
I. Zadran
18 (15)
M. Adair
4-0-25-0
6.6
1
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
From around the stump to the left-hander. Slams it hard on the pitch, outside off. Sediqullah Atal flays it over backward point for a single.
6.5
1
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Back of a length, nipping away, outside off. Zadran waits on it and glides it through short third for a run.
6.4
1
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Angled in on a length, Sediqullah Atal hangs back and nudges it gently to deep backward square leg for an easy single.
6.3
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Loose! Wide outside off, shaping away a touch, on a good length. Sediqullah Atal chases it by throwing his bat to play the square cut but the ball keeps swerving to beat the bat.
6.2
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Full again, on off, Sediqullah Atal creams it straight to the mid off fielder.
6.1
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Bowls from wide of the crease, angling in, on a length and outside off. Atal shoulders his arms.
End Of The Over 6 : 39/1
5 Runs
- 05.1
- 05.2
- 05.3
- 15.4
- 45.5
- 05.6
I. Zadran
17 (14)
S. Atal
7 (12)
B. McDonough
3-0-17-1
5.6
0
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
Full on middle, pushed to mid on.
5.5
4
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! SHOT! Short and on top of off. Ibrahim swivels and comfortably pulls it through mid-wicket and square leg for a boundary. He was on to it in a flash.
5.4
1
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
JUST SHORT AND WIDE! Bowls fuller and angles it away from the batter. Sediqullah Atal closes the bat face very early for the flick and ends up getting a healthy leading edge. The ball flies wide of Cade Carmichael stationed at point and beats his dive to his right. One run taken.
5.3
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Byron bowls it on a length, in the channel. Atal prods forward, only to make a close leave.
5.2
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Full and on off, Sediqullah Atal stretches forward and blocks it out watchfully.
5.1
0
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Flirting with danger! Angles it right across the left-hander, on a hard length and the ball keeps leaving the batter. Atal pokes at it loosely and the ball zips past the outside edge.
End Of The Over 5 : 34/1
7 Runs
- 04.1
- 44.2
- 14.3
- 04.4
- 04.5
- 24.6
I. Zadran
13 (12)
S. Atal
6 (8)
M. Adair
3-0-22-0
4.6
2
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Straight and full, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it off the inner half of the bat and wide of Gavin Hoey at mid-wicket. Gavin sprints and hunts the ball down in the deep, keeping the batters to two runs. 7 runs off the over, 13 from the last two for Afghanistan.
4.5
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
BEATEN! Beauty from Mark! Gets the ball to swerve away from the batter, on a good length, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran hangs back to punch it away but the gets beaten all ends up on the outside edge.
4.4
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Full and outside off, straighter one, Zadran cracks it straight to the cover fielder.
4.3
1
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Off the edge! Angles it into the batter, on a fuller length. Sediqullah Atal looks to work it across from the crease, but gets a fat leading edge. It goes wide of the second slip fielder and is mopped up by Byron McDonough at deep third, to his right. One run taken.
4.2
4
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
FOUR! Textbook cover drive! Just outside the off stump, on a length. Sediqullah Atal unleashes a flamboyant cover drive by getting on the front foot and nails it behind point for a boundary.
4.1
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
On a length, swinging away, outside off. Atal hangs back and steers it to the backward point fielder.
End Of The Over 4 : 27/1
6 Runs
- 03.1
- 13.2
- 13.3
- 43.4
- 03.5
- 03.6
I. Zadran
11 (9)
S. Atal
1 (5)
B. McDonough
2-0-12-1
3.6
0
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
Short of a good length, around off, Ibrahim camps back and knocks it to the cover fielder.
3.5
0
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
BEAUTY! Very full and outside off, Ibrahim tries to smother it on the pitch, but the ball swings away late and beats his outside edge by a whisker.
3.4
4
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Unleashes the back foot punch once again! Short and outside off. Ibrahim Zadran rises up on the toes and punches it from the middle of the blade, finding the gap at cover-point for a cracking boundary.
3.3
1
Byron McDonough To Sediqullah Atal
Excellent bowling! Byron nails the yorker in and it shapes sharply into the batter. Sediqullah Atal jams the bat down in time despite his head falling over. The ball grazes the bottom edge and rolls to backward square leg for a single. There is a slight appeal for LBW, but the umpire turns it down.
3.2
1
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
Back of a length, nipping away a bit. Ibrahim Zadran shapes up to play the cover drive, but somehow, the ball squirts off the inside edge and rolls wide of mid-wicket for a single.
3.1
0
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
Slams it on a length, wide outside off, Ibrahim rises with the bounce and lets it be.
End Of The Over 3 : 21/1
5 Runs
- 42.1
- 12.2
- 02.3
- 02.4
- 02.5
- 02.6
S. Atal
0 (4)
I. Zadran
6 (4)
M. Adair
2-0-15-0
2.6
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
BEATEN! In the channel, on a hard length, just straightens up after pitching. Atal is drawn forward to defend, but the ball zips past the outside edge.
2.5
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Comes from around the stump with two slips in place. Bowls it on a length, outside off, Atal hops off and dabs it with soft hands to the gully region.
2.4
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Moves away from the southpaw, on a good length, Sediqullah Atal offers no shot.
2.3
0
Mark Adair To Sediqullah Atal
Fuller around off, Atal presses forward and defends it out to point.
2.2
1
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Short and outside off, Zadran uses the pace and runs it to deep third for a single.
2.1
4
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
FOUR! Cracked away! 2000 ODI RUNS FOR IBRAHIM ZADRAN. He becomes the third-quickest ODI batter to reach that figure after Shubman Gill and Hashim Amla. Back of a length, outside off, sits up nicely for the batter. Zadran knocks it crisply and into the gap through mid off and extra cover for a boundary.
Early blow for Afghanistan. Sediqullah Atal walks out to bat at number 3.
End Of The Over 2 : 16/1
6 Runs
- 01.1
- 11.2
- 11.3
- 1 WD 1.4
- 21.4
- 01.5
- 1 WD 1.6
- W 1.6
R. Gurbaz
12 (10)
I. Zadran
1 (2)
B. McDonough
1-0-6-1
1.6
W
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz OUT!
OUT! CAUGHT! The extra ball brings a massive wicket for McDonough and Ireland. He is beaming with smile and is circled by his fellow teammates. Bowls it on a good length, outside the off stump, with a little bit of extra bounce and an away shape. Rahmanullah Gurbaz charges down a bit and tries to loft it over the mid off fielder but ends up badly shanking it and offering a straightforward catch to Harry Tector at mid off. A really good start for Ireland as the dangerous Gurbaz falls. Afghanistan are 16/1.
1.6
wd
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
WIDE! Miles outside off stump, and swings further away, breaching the guideline. Gurbaz ignores that one.
1.5
0
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Bangs it short and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz rides the bounce and taps it towards the backward point fielder.
1.4
2
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Much fuller, moving away, around off. Gurbaz gets on top of the bounce and pushes it between cover and point for a couple of runs.
1.4
wd
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
WIDE! Reload! A bit too straight, down leg, on a length. Gurbaz lets it be. The keeper, Tucker, collects it to his left.
1.3
1
Byron McDonough To Ibrahim Zadran
Short of a length, outside off, climbing on the batter. Zadran stands on his toes and steers it along the ground to deep third for a single.
1.2
1
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Extracts serious bounce from a good length, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is completely squared up on the defence and the ball bobbles up from the shoulder of the bat, and drops wide of backward point for a single.
1.1
0
Byron McDonough To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
SWING AND A MISS! Hard length, outside off stump, nipping away and staying low. Gurbaz tries to muscle it over cover, but the ball beats his inside edge on its way to the keeper.
Byron McDonough will take up the other new ball.
End Of The Over 1 : 10/0
10 Runs
- 1 WD 0.1
- 00.1
- 40.2
- 00.3
- 40.4
- 10.5
- 00.6
I. Zadran
0 (1)
R. Gurbaz
9 (5)
M. Adair
1-0-10-0
0.6
0
Mark Adair To Ibrahim Zadran
Nagging length, outside off, Zadran hangs back and dabs it to backward point. 10 runs off the first over.
0.5
1
Mark Adair To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Had to really hurry! Fuller one, on off, Gurbaz drives it to mid off and rushes off for a single, but Harry Tector dives acrobatically to his right and releases the throw to the bowling end, but misses his shy. It forces Gurbaz to put on a late sprint and dive to make home. A direct hit would have had Gurbaz in deep trouble.
0.4
4
Mark Adair To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
FOUR! SMASHED! That's hit firmly. Too full and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clobbers it to the left of the bowler. It goes flat but Adair cannot pluck that and it races away.
0.3
0
Mark Adair To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Back of a length, outside off, curving away. Gurbaz shoulders arms.
0.2
4
Mark Adair To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
FOUR! Glorious shot to get off the mark! A lot fuller than the previous ball, around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz leans on and creams it through the cover gap and despite the outfield being a bit greasy, it beats the chase of the fielder for a boundary.
0.1
0
Mark Adair To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Tight leave! Much better from Adair. Hits the hard length, does Mark, just around the off stump with a bit of an away shape. Rahmanullah Gurbaz watches the ball closely and leaves it.
0.1
wd
Mark Adair To Rahmanullah Gurbaz
WIDE! A loosener to start with. Far outside off, on a good length. It swings away sharply and goes beyond the tramline. Left alone by Gurbaz.
All set for the fourth ODI to get underway in Belfast. Conditions have considerably brightened up out there as well. We can see the Ireland players spread out and take their respective field positions. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan. Mark Adair has the new ball and is raring to go. Let's play...
We are just a few minutes away from the first ball, but before that, both teams have lined up for their respective national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's first, followed by Ireland's.
PITCH REPORT - Ed Joyce is out there, inspecting the conditions in Stormont. He says that it is quite warm and muggy out there, which will help with some seam and swing movement. Adds that the pitch has a much bigger covering of grass than the other day, looking much greener. Mentions that there is a bit of a moisture in the outfield as well, so expects it to be a bit slow early on when Afghanistan will be batting.
The captain of Afghanistan - Rahmat Shah says he would have elected to bowl first as well, considering the overhead conditions. Asked about his captaincy experience so far, he says the team has been following the plans well and executing them nicely, something he's happy to see. On what constitutes a good score today, he says he isn't fixated on any particular number, and the focus instead is simply on building partnerships and putting up as many runs as possible. On changes to the side, he confirms just the one change, as Fazalhaq Farooqi makes way, with Ziaur Rahman coming in.
The captain of Ireland - Paul Stirling says that it looks quite a different pitch from the other day. Adds that it looks hard with a bit of green tinge so he is hoping they can use the conditions early with the ball. Stirling mentions that they have had a few discussions but now it is time to implement it out there in the field. Says he can't remember the last time they put together 50 or 100 overs in an ODI but that is the ultimate aim and this game would be a good start. Informs that they have made one change, with Jai Moondra resting and Liam McCarthy replacing him.
Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy (In for Jai Moondra) and Byron McDonough.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah (C), Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman (In for Fazalhaq Farooqi) and Yamin Ahmadzai.
TOSS - Well, good news, folks, that turned out to be a short delay after all. The captains are out in the middle in no time, and the coin flip goes in favor of Paul Stirling. Ireland have elected to BOWL first. Though we can still see the white covers draped over the pitch, kept there as a precaution should the drizzle make a return. The skies out there remain pretty gloomy for now with the warmups going on in the background.
Toss delayed? Looks like it. The coin flip should have happened by now. But unfortunately, it has been a damp start to the day. Weather reports suggest that it is currently raining in Stormont, so the TOSS HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY DELAYED DUE TO RAIN. But as we mentioned earlier, the forecast for the rest of the day looks much better. So let's hope the delay is not that long.
Weather watch - Weather has been calling the shots throughout this series, and today looks no different. In the third game, cloud cover rolled in late, and while it gave the seamers a bit of extra zip and carry, it was really the surface itself doing the talking for the spinners. Hoey and Rashid Khan both found sharp turn off a pitch that was clearly wearing. A touch of rain is forecast during match hours today, most likely in the afternoon, say, during the first innings, but the skies are expected to clear up well after that. Let's hope we get to see a complete game of cricket like the other day.
Aim to seal the deal - Afghanistan cannot lose the series from here and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run against Ireland in bilateral ODI matches since 2021. They are aiming for a fifth ODI series win over the Irish, but en route, two of their series have ended in a draw, both in 2019, and they will want to avoid that flat finish again. The tourists nearly bottled a modest run chase in the previous match, as their batting unit, barring Gurbaz and Rashid, failed to work out the right approach for this surface. More than trying to force cross-batted shots, the key here is to get settled, work out the gaps, and then push on without throwing it away. As seen, batting tends to become more and more difficult here as the pitch gets older, so the correct method is to build stable partnerships first. It will be another test of technique for them, and they will hope they do not depend on just a couple of players and put on a complete show this time around. Toss and teams coming up next. Stay tuned.
The spin cycle of doom - Ireland have shown they can push Afghanistan close, and there were some genuinely impressive stints from the likes of Gavin Hoey, even while defending a modest 206. But the finishing touch in crunch moments keeps slipping away. The main culprit? Spin. Across the two completed ODIs in this series, 12 of Ireland’s 20 wickets have fallen to spinners, and they haven’t been able to bat out their full 50 overs either. Until they solve this puzzle, every chase or defence feels like a high-wire act without a safety net. To make matters trickier, the middle order hasn’t really fired when it matters. The broader issue for the batters is that they are getting starts, but not turning them into match-shaping scores. Until that conversion rate improves, Ireland will keep feeling like they are one good innings away… that never quite arrives.
Try, try till you succeed - The classic line for when life keeps saying 'not yet'. Ireland will be using it as fuel, walking out with extra grit and a united hunger to finally get the job done. They can still level the series and avoid a defeat if they win both remaining matches. Afghanistan, meanwhile, have already ticked the big boxes - having an unassailable 2-0 lead and have also secured direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The momentum is theirs, but now it’s about delivering a cleaner, more ruthless performance. On that note, hello and welcome to the fourth and penultimate ODI at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont.
... MATCH DAY ...
Match 4 - Ireland are all set to take on Afghanistan in the 4th ODI of this five-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. Afghanistan head into the fourth ODI with the series already secured, but there is still plenty at stake. Their three-wicket victory in Belfast on Monday confirmed their direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while Ireland are now playing for pride, momentum and evidence that they can compete with one of the strongest emerging ODI sides in world cricket. The fourth ODI therefore has a slightly unusual dynamic - Afghanistan can afford to experiment, while Ireland desperately need a complete performance. Series context - The opening ODI at Bready was washed out, leaving the teams with four potentially decisive matches. Afghanistan then established control in the second ODI, beating Ireland by 92 runs. Rashid Khan was the star, producing outstanding figures of 6/34 as Ireland collapsed chasing Afghanistan's 299/8. The third ODI was much closer. Ireland were bowled out for 206 in 46.3 overs, and Afghanistan appeared to be cruising at 132/3 before a middle-order collapse left them in serious trouble at 154/6. But Rahmanullah Gurbaz' 71 had already provided the foundation, and Rashid Khan, unbeaten on 37, guided Afghanistan through the tense finish to 207/7 in 44.5 overs. For Ireland, the frustrating part is that the third ODI was there to be won. Their bowling attack created the opening, but 206 was ultimately too small a total. The Rashid factor - Afghanistan's biggest advantage is that their bowling attack has repeatedly shown it can win games even when their batting isn't at its best. The second ODI demonstrated the destructive potential of Rashid Khan, while the third showed something equally important - Afghanistan can survive pressure when Rashid is needed with the bat. In dire need of improvement - Ireland's biggest concern is not necessarily their bowling. It is their inability to turn promising starts into competitive totals. The third ODI was the clearest example. Ireland reached 128/8, but Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra rescued the innings with a 50-run partnership, allowing the hosts to reach 206. That lower-order resistance was valuable, but Ireland should never have lost so many wickets in the first place, with 6 of those 8 scalps being against spin, amidst a stunning collapse from 82/2. The conditions could be decisive - The move from Bready to Stormont has already produced a different type of contest. The third ODI was a low-scoring game. Both sides experienced significant batting collapses, suggesting that shot selection and patience could again be more important than simply trying to dominate from the outset. Ireland will particularly want to exploit any early movement if they get the chance to bowl first. Form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - IRE - LLLWW | AFG - WWLLL. Predictions? Afghanistan start as favourites as they have won both completed ODIs, possess the outstanding individual match-winner in Rashid Khan, and now have the confidence of having secured World Cup qualification. However, the third ODI showed that Ireland are not far away. Afghanistan's batting was vulnerable once Gurbaz departed, and Ireland had a genuine chance of defending 206 after reducing the visitors to 154/6. The deciding factor is likely to be on how Ireland handle spin and more importantly, Rashid Khan.
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Match Info
- Venue Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
- Weather Sunny
- Toss Ireland won the toss and elected to field
- Umpire Adrian Holdstock (SA), Roland Black (IRE) and Jonathan Kennedy (IRE)
- Referee Dean Cosker (ENG)
Match Notes
- 2nd wkt Partnership: 50 off 50 balls between I Zadran (29) and S Atal (20)
- Power play 1 (1-10): Afghanistan 58/1
- Afghanistan 50/1 in 8.5 overs
- Ibrahim Zadran completes 2000 runs in ODI
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