Ireland Aim to Avoid 4-0 Sweep as Afghanistan Eye Series Clean Sweep

Ireland will look to salvage some pride from their ODI series against Afghanistan when the two sides meet in the fourth and final match in Belfast. After a difficult return to 50-over cricket, Ireland trail 3-0 and face the prospect of a series whitewash.

This is Ireland’s first ODI series in more than 15 months, and the long break has shown in their performances. However, their batting finally showed signs of improvement in the previous match, giving the hosts some encouragement ahead of the series finale.

Chasing a daunting target of 344, Ireland crossed the 300-run mark thanks largely to experienced campaigners Andy Balbirnie and Curtis Campher. Balbirnie produced an excellent century, while Campher also made a valuable contribution as Ireland fell short of the target.

Ireland will hope that performance provides momentum for the final game. Captain Paul Stirling and Harry Tector, who have struggled for runs during the series, will be eager to make significant contributions, while Balbirnie will look to continue his impressive form.

Cade Carmichael is another player to watch. The South Africa-born batter has impressed in the No. 3 position, scoring 62 off 66 balls earlier in the series and following it with a determined 32 in the next match. Another substantial innings in Belfast could strengthen his claim for a permanent place in Ireland’s top order.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, have enjoyed a highly successful tour and will be determined to complete a 4-0 series sweep. Their strong performances with both bat and ball have underlined their status as the dominant side in the contest.

One of their key performers has been spinner AM Ghazanfar. He has been Afghanistan’s most economical bowler in the series and has already taken four wickets. With 28 wickets in just 20 ODIs at an economy rate of 4.54, Ghazanfar is quickly establishing himself as an important part of Afghanistan’s spin attack alongside Rashid Khan.

Afghanistan could bring back Fazalhaq Farooqi after replacing him with Ziaur Rahman in the previous match. Ziaur conceded 71 runs without taking a wicket from his nine overs, which could prompt a change for the final game.

Probable Playing XIs

Ireland: Paul Stirling (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicketkeeper), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, Mark Adair, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (captain), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Belfast Pitch Could Favour Batters

The conditions in Belfast are expected to be cloudy, but rain is not forecast to disrupt the match. The average first-innings winning score across the last five ODIs at the venue is 272, suggesting another competitive, potentially high-scoring encounter.

Ireland’s improved batting display in the previous game will give them confidence, but Afghanistan’s bowling attack remains a major challenge, particularly through the middle overs where Rashid Khan and Ghazanfar can apply sustained pressure.

Rashid Khan Chasing More Records

Rashid Khan could add another milestone to his remarkable ODI career. He needs three wickets to become the first bowler to take at least 15 wickets in bilateral ODI series against the same opposition on two occasions. He previously claimed 16 wickets against Ireland in a five-match series in 2016-17.

Three wickets would also make Rashid the first bowler to take 15 or more wickets in three bilateral ODI series. He is currently level with India’s Amit Mishra on two such series.

For Ireland, George Dockrell could also move closer to becoming the country’s leading ODI wicket-taker. If he plays, he needs four wickets to surpass Kevin O’Brien.

With Afghanistan chasing a clean sweep and Ireland desperate for a consolation victory, the final ODI promises to be an important test of whether the hosts can finally convert their improved batting form into a win.