The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 143 and Sediqullah Atal’s 98 powered Afghanistan to a six-wicket victory over Ireland in the fifth ODI on Sunday, sealing a 4-0 series win.
Chasing 299, Afghanistan was reduced to 22-2 inside the
first six overs before Rahmat and Atal steadied the innings with a record
201-run partnership for the third wicket.
The partnership surpassed Afghanistan’s previous
third-wicket record of 184, set by Rahmat and Hashmatullah Shahidi against
Ireland in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Rahmat reached his century off 109 balls and finished
unbeaten on 143 from 133 deliveries, hitting 13 fours and two sixes. He sealed
the victory with a boundary in the 49th over as Afghanistan reached 302-4.
Atal fell two runs short of his century after making 98,
caught by Cade Carmichael off Liam McCarthy, who took 3-37.
Ireland had earlier posted 298-7, led by Curtis Campher’s 96
from 84 balls. Harry Tector added 53, while Azmatullah Omarzai took 3-74 for
Afghanistan.
Ireland had been in trouble at 148-3 in the middle overs
before Campher launched a late attack, adding 101 runs in the final 10 overs to
lift the hosts to a competitive total.
But Rahmat and Atal absorbed the pressure and accelerated
through the middle overs, denying Ireland a breakthrough for much of the chase.
The first ODI was washed out, but Afghanistan dominated the
remaining four matches to complete a convincing series victory.
