Sport
Afghanistan face Ireland with series win in sight
Afghanistan will look to extend their dominance over Ireland when the two sides meet in the fourth ODI of their five-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, in Belfast today.
Afghanistan lead the series 2-0 and have already secured an automatic place at the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup after their three-wicket victory over Ireland in the third ODI.
The opening match of the series was abandoned because of rain, but Afghanistan have since won two consecutive matches.
They beat Ireland by 92 runs in the second ODI before chasing down 207 in the third match, with Rashid Khan and Yamin Ahmadzai guiding the visitors home with an unbeaten partnership.
Rashid has been central to Afghanistan’s success. He produced a six-wicket haul in the second ODI and followed it with an all-round performance in the third, taking three wickets and scoring a crucial 37 not out. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also made a valuable 71 in the third match.
Ireland, meanwhile, will be determined to halt Afghanistan’s momentum.
Their batting has struggled against Afghanistan’s bowling attack, particularly the spin threat posed by Rashid and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. The hosts will need a stronger start from their top order and more substantial partnerships if they are to challenge the visitors.
With Afghanistan already assured of the series, the fourth ODI gives Ireland an opportunity to restore some pride and keep their hopes of finishing the series strongly alive. Afghanistan, however, will be aiming for another convincing performance and a 3-0 series advantage.
The match begins at 10:45am local time in Belfast, which is 2:15pm Kabul time. It will be played over 50 overs at Stormont.
Afghanistan will enter the contest with confidence after a run of strong results, while Ireland face the challenge of finding a way through an attack that has repeatedly exposed their batting weaknesses.
Omar Zawak Herat secured a 1-0 victory over Toofan Herat in the 24th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan in Kabul.
The match was played on Saturday at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Both sides created scoring opportunities in the first half, but neither team managed to find the net before the break.
Omar Zawak Herat broke the deadlock in the 86th minute when Shadab Malikzadah scored with a fine strike to give his side the lead.
Toofan Herat committed eight fouls and received two yellow cards, while Omar Zawak Herat recorded six fouls and received one yellow card and one red card.
Toofan Herat will face Aino Mina Kandahar on September 29, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Abu Muslim Farah on September 30.
Matches from the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Afghanistan are set to face India in the Asian Games cricket quarter-finals after Saturday’s rain-hit match between Nepal and Japan confirmed the Pool A standings.
The quarter-final between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place on September 28 in Nisshin, Japan.
Nepal secured first place in the group after Japan’s chase was washed out. Nepal had scored 149 runs for four wickets in 15 overs after being sent in to bat, but persistent rain prevented Japan from starting its innings.
The result saw Nepal advance as Pool A winners, with Afghanistan joining them in the quarter-finals as the other qualifying team. Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.
Japan have been eliminated from the tournament.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi secured a convincing 6-0 victory over Esteqlal Kabul today (Friday) in the 23rd match of the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League at the Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Reza Gholami opened the scoring for Sorkh Poshan Khafi in the fourth minute with a header before Sohrab Afghan doubled the lead in the 21st minute.
Afghan struck again four minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, while Yar Mohammad added the fourth goal in the 52nd minute.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi completed the rout with two further goals in the 68th and 70th minutes, securing a 6-0 win.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
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