Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI scorecard: Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah produced a memorable performance with the bat as his side chased down a target of 299 runs against Ireland in Belfast. Rahmat remained unbeaten on 143 from 133 balls, guiding Afghanistan to a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
The fifth ODI at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast turned into a memorable occasion for Rahmat Shah, who had recently taken over as Afghanistan’s full-time ODI captain. His unbeaten century not only helped Afghanistan finish the match successfully but also gave him a new place in the country’s ODI record books.
Afghanistan finished on 302/4 in 48.5 overs, chasing Ireland’s 298/7 in 50 overs. The result completed a dominant 4-0 series victory for Afghanistan, with the visitors ending the ODI campaign on a high.
Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI Scorecard: Rahmat Shah Leads the Chase
The biggest talking point from the match was undoubtedly Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 143. Coming into the final ODI as Afghanistan’s new ODI captain, Rahmat showed exactly the kind of leadership the team needed in a difficult run chase.
Ireland had posted a competitive 298/7 from their 50 overs, leaving Afghanistan with a target of 299. Rather than allowing the required run rate to create pressure, Rahmat played a controlled and mature innings.
He faced 133 deliveries and struck 13 fours and two sixes. His innings combined patience with timely aggression, allowing Afghanistan to stay ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.
Rahmat’s ability to remain at the crease until the end proved decisive. Afghanistan eventually reached 302/4 in 48.5 overs, winning the match by six wickets with seven deliveries remaining.
Rahmat Shah Creates History With 143
Rahmat Shah’s century was more than just another three-figure score. It came during his first ODI series as Afghanistan’s full-time captain and added a major record to his name.
According to the match information, Rahmat became only the third Afghanistan captain to score an ODI century. Before him, Asghar Afghan and Hashmatullah Shahidi had also reached three figures while leading Afghanistan in the format.
The bigger achievement was Rahmat’s score of 143. It became the highest individual ODI score by an Afghanistan captain, surpassing the previous mark held by Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Shahidi had scored 102 from 131 balls against India in Chennai on June 20, 2026, a performance that had previously stood as the highest ODI score by an Afghanistan captain.
Rahmat’s unbeaten 143 therefore gave him two reasons to celebrate: Afghanistan won the match, and he also moved to the top of the country’s captaincy batting record.
Sediqullah Atal Gives Rahmat Shah Crucial Support
While Rahmat Shah was the star of the chase, Sediqullah Atal played an equally important role in building the foundation for Afghanistan’s victory.
Chasing 299, Afghanistan needed a substantial partnership after losing early wickets. Rahmat and Atal responded with an outstanding 201-run partnership for the third wicket from 210 balls.
The partnership changed the direction of the match.
Ireland had a sizeable total on the board and needed wickets at regular intervals to put Afghanistan under pressure. However, Rahmat and Atal refused to allow the home side to control the chase.
Atal came close to scoring centuries in consecutive matches. He had already produced a century in the fourth ODI and was once again within touching distance of another hundred.
This time, however, he fell just short.
The left-hander scored 98 runs from 112 balls, striking the ball well before Liam McCarthy finally broke the partnership in the 41st over. Atal’s dismissal gave Ireland a much-needed opening, but Afghanistan still had enough control over the chase.
Liam McCarthy Gives Ireland Hope
Ireland’s bowlers continued to fight despite the huge partnership between Rahmat and Atal.
Liam McCarthy was the bowler who eventually ended Atal’s innings on 98. His breakthrough briefly gave Ireland hope of making a late comeback.
McCarthy finished with 3/47 from 10 overs, making him Ireland’s most successful bowler in Afghanistan’s chase. Jai Moondra also claimed a wicket, while the rest of the Irish attack struggled to prevent Afghanistan from maintaining control.
Atal’s departure brought a moment of tension into the Afghan camp, but Rahmat Shah remained calm.
Instead of taking unnecessary risks, the Afghanistan captain continued to bat according to the situation and ensured that his team did not lose momentum.
Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai Finish the Job
After Atal’s dismissal, Rahmat Shah continued his outstanding innings with Azmatullah Omarzai.
The pair added a crucial 56-run partnership, which effectively ended Ireland’s hopes of a comeback.
Rahmat’s experience became particularly valuable during this stage of the innings. With the target within reach, he avoided giving Ireland another opportunity and kept the scoreboard moving.
The finishing partnership ensured that Afghanistan reached 302/4 in 48.5 overs.
Rahmat remained unbeaten on 143, completing one of the finest ODI innings of his international career at the perfect time for his team.
Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI Scorecard: Match Summary
The final scorecard tells the story of a high-scoring ODI in Belfast.
Ireland: 298/7 in 50 overs
Ireland managed to put together a strong total of 298/7 after batting first. The total gave their bowlers a reasonable chance, especially because Afghanistan still needed almost 300 runs to win.
However, Afghanistan’s batting response was outstanding.
Afghanistan: 302/4 in 48.5 overs
Afghanistan chased down the target with six wickets in hand and seven balls remaining.
Match Result
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets.
The victory also completed Afghanistan’s 4-0 series win over Ireland, giving the new Rahmat Shah captaincy era a highly impressive start.
Rahmat Shah’s Knock Was More Than Just a Century
There was a different level of importance attached to Rahmat Shah’s 143 because of his new role as captain.
Rahmat was appointed Afghanistan’s Test and ODI captain in July 2026, replacing Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi had led the team for around five years, during which Afghanistan achieved several notable results, including a strong campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Rahmat had already been an experienced member of the Afghanistan setup and had served as Shahidi’s vice-captain. His appointment therefore represented a continuation of the team’s leadership structure rather than a completely unexpected change.
The Ireland ODI series was his first major assignment as full-time ODI captain.
His response could hardly have been better.
A captain scoring an unbeaten 143 while successfully chasing a target of 299 is exactly the type of performance that can set the tone for a new leadership era.
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Afghanistan’s Batting Shows Its Depth
Another important takeaway from the match was Afghanistan’s batting depth.
The team did not depend on one batter alone. Sediqullah Atal’s 98 gave Rahmat the partnership he needed, while Azmatullah Omarzai helped him finish the chase.
The 201-run stand between Rahmat and Atal was the backbone of the innings. It took Afghanistan from a challenging position into a position of clear control.
Once Atal was dismissed, Rahmat continued to take responsibility, proving that he could manage the pressure of a major chase as both batter and captain.
That combination will be important for Afghanistan in future ODI assignments.
Ireland Fight Hard but Cannot Stop Afghanistan
Ireland deserve credit for posting 298/7 after being asked to bat first. A total close to 300 in a 50-over international usually creates pressure on the chasing team.
Ireland also managed to take four Afghan wickets during the chase.
But the problem was the size and timing of the partnership between Rahmat and Atal.
The Irish bowlers were unable to break the stand early enough, allowing Afghanistan to settle into the chase. By the time Atal was dismissed, Rahmat had already taken the game deep into Afghanistan’s control.
McCarthy’s three wickets gave Ireland a late opportunity, but Afghanistan’s captain ensured that the visitors did not panic.
Why Rahmat Shah’s 143 Will Be Remembered
Rahmat’s innings stands out because it combined individual achievement with team success.
He scored 143 runs without being dismissed.
He led Afghanistan in a successful chase of 299.
He became the third Afghanistan captain to score an ODI century.
He also surpassed Hashmatullah Shahidi’s previous record for the highest ODI score by an Afghanistan captain.
Most importantly, his performance helped Afghanistan complete a 4-0 series victory.
That makes the innings particularly significant in the early stages of Rahmat Shah’s captaincy.
What This Victory Means for Afghanistan
The series win gives Afghanistan plenty of confidence as the team moves forward under a new ODI captain.
Rahmat Shah’s leadership has started with an impressive result, while the batting performances of players such as Sediqullah Atal provide further encouragement.
Atal’s back-to-back near-centuries and centuries during the series show that Afghanistan has promising batting options alongside its established stars.
The team’s ability to chase 299 with four wickets down also highlights the growing confidence within the batting unit.
For Rahmat, however, the fifth ODI will remain especially memorable.
His unbeaten 143 was the defining moment of the match, and it came when Afghanistan needed its new captain to stand up.
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Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI: Key Takeaways
The fifth ODI produced several important talking points:
- Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 143 from 133 balls.
- He hit 13 fours and two sixes during his innings.
- Afghanistan chased 299 runs successfully.
- Afghanistan finished on 302/4 in 48.5 overs.
- The visitors won by six wickets with seven balls remaining.
- Sediqullah Atal scored 98 from 112 balls.
- Rahmat Shah and Atal added 201 runs for the third wicket.
- Liam McCarthy finished with 3/47 for Ireland.
- Rahmat became the third Afghanistan captain to score an ODI century.
- His 143 surpassed Hashmatullah Shahidi’s previous record for the highest ODI score by an Afghanistan captain.
- Afghanistan completed a 4-0 ODI series victory.
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conclusion
The Ireland vs Afghanistan 5th ODI scorecard will be remembered mainly for Rahmat Shah’s remarkable unbeaten 143. The Afghanistan captain took responsibility from the middle of the chase and remained at the crease until the job was finished.
Sediqullah Atal’s 98 and his 201-run partnership with Rahmat laid the foundation, while Azmatullah Omarzai helped the captain finish the match.
Ireland had posted a challenging 298/7, but Afghanistan’s batting response proved too strong.
For Rahmat Shah, this was the perfect way to announce his arrival as Afghanistan’s full-time ODI captain. His century was not simply a personal milestone; it was a match-winning captain’s innings that delivered another series victory for Afghanistan.
With Afghanistan winning 302/4 in 48.5 overs, the visitors walked away from Belfast with a six-wicket victory and a memorable 4-0 series triumph.
