Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Rashid Khan Inspires Afghanistan to 2027 ODI World Cup Qualification
Afghanistan's cricket team played a very important match against Ireland.
Winning the game meant they would automatically get a spot in the big 2027 Cricket World Cup.
The match was played in Belfast.
Afghanistan's bowlers bowled very well and got Ireland out for just 206 runs.
Then it was Afghanistan's turn to score runs.
In the middle of their chase, they started losing wickets and it became tense.
But the captain, Rashid Khan, stayed calm and scored 37 runs without getting out.
His teammate Yamin Ahmadzai helped by staying at the other end.
Afghanistan won the match with three wickets to spare.
This will be their fourth time playing in the Cricket World Cup.
Afghanistan beat Ireland by three wickets in Belfast to secure direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Captain Rashid Khan took three wickets and then hit an unbeaten 37, with Yamin Ahmadzai (4 not out) at the crease, to win the chase in 44.5 overs.
Ireland were bowled out for 206 despite Gavin Hoey's 36 and a 76-run ninth-wicket stand with Jai Moondra; Hoey also took a career-best 4/34.
Ranked No. 8, Afghanistan will make their fourth consecutive ODI World Cup appearance at the 2027 tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Reports differ on the match number: most describe it as the third ODI of the five-match series — the first was washed out and Afghanistan won the second by 92 runs — while two accounts called it the second.
- Who
- Afghanistan's cricket team, captained by Rashid Khan, and Ireland
- What
- Afghanistan beat Ireland by three wickets to secure direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup
- When
- Monday; most reports describe the match as the third ODI of the five-match series, though two accounts called it the second
- Where
- Belfast
- Why
- Afghanistan entered the match needing only a win to secure direct 2027 World Cup qualification
- Result
- Afghanistan won by three wickets
- Venue
- Belfast
- Ireland total
- 206 all out in 46.3 overs
- Afghanistan chase
- Target of 207 reached in 44.5 overs (207/7)
- Top scorer
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz 71
- Match-winning innings
- Rashid Khan 37 not out
- 2027 World Cup hosts
- South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
- Series status
- First ODI washed out; Afghanistan won the second ODI by 92 runs
Sources
Afghanistan seal 2027 ODI World Cup spot after Rashid Khan-inspired thriller against Ireland
Rashid Khan's All-Round Brilliance Powers Afghanistan Past Ireland, Seals 2027 ODI World Cup Berth | Video
Rashid stars as Afghanistan qualify for 2027 ODI WC
