Ireland vs Afghanistan 4th ODI Preview: Afghanistan Eye Series Win After World Cup Qualification

Ireland vs Afghanistan 4th ODI promises another important contest in Belfast as Afghanistan look to turn their 2-0 lead into a series victory. The visitors secured a place at the 2027 ODI World Cup after their three-wicket win in the third ODI, but their attention now shifts towards finishing the five-match series strongly.

Afghanistan’s qualification was confirmed after their victory on Monday, giving them an unassailable advantage in the qualification race. With two matches still remaining in the series, Rahmat Shah’s side can now focus on improving several areas of their game, particularly their middle-order batting.

Ireland, meanwhile, have a different objective. Their hopes of direct World Cup qualification have already disappeared, and they will now have to go through the Qualifier if they are to reach the tournament. However, the remaining matches provide the hosts with an opportunity to test themselves against one of the strongest spin attacks in the current ODI landscape.

Afghanistan aim to complete series victory

Afghanistan enter the fourth ODI with a 2-0 lead after the first match was washed out. Their latest victory was far from straightforward, with the visitors struggling during the chase before eventually reaching their target with three wickets remaining.

Chasing 207, Afghanistan slipped to 176 for 7 and appeared to have made the chase unnecessarily difficult. Their middle-order batters repeatedly attempted cross-batted shots despite the required run rate remaining manageable.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided the major contribution at the top of the order with 71, but the rest of the batting unit struggled to maintain momentum. Rashid Khan then produced another match-winning all-round performance to rescue his team.

Rashid first claimed three wickets for 44 runs before contributing a valuable 37 from 43 deliveries. His partnership with Yamin Ahmadzai helped Afghanistan cross the finishing line without further damage.

The result highlighted both Afghanistan’s strengths and weaknesses. Their bowling remains capable of controlling matches, but the batting unit will need greater discipline if they want to challenge the leading teams at the 2027 World Cup.

Ireland face another major test against spin

Ireland’s biggest challenge in Belfast will once again be Afghanistan’s spin combination. Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar caused significant problems in the third ODI, combining to take six wickets.

Ireland lost six wickets for just 73 runs against the Afghan spinners, allowing the visitors to seize control of the match. The hosts will need to find better methods against spin if they want to prevent another middle-order collapse.

Rashid remains Afghanistan’s primary attacking spinner, while Ghazanfar has increasingly established himself as an important partner. The young mystery spinner can turn the ball in both directions and has quickly developed into a reliable option in Afghanistan’s bowling attack.

For Ireland, handling the pair will be central to their chances. Their batters will need to rotate the strike, avoid unnecessary risks and ensure that the pressure does not build during the middle overs.

Gavin Hoey emerges as Ireland’s key bowling threat

While Afghanistan possess two of the most dangerous spinners in the match, Ireland also have a promising wristspinner of their own in Gavin Hoey.

The 20-year-old legspinner made a major impact in the third ODI, claiming four wickets for 34 runs. His ability to extract turn and vary his pace caused problems for Afghanistan’s batters, particularly when they attempted to attack him.

Hoey’s performance was particularly impressive considering that he has played only a handful of ODIs. His control allowed Ireland to create pressure during the middle overs and bring the hosts back into the contest.

Ireland captain Paul Stirling praised Hoey’s attacking approach and control, highlighting the youngster’s ability to operate with aggressive fields despite his limited experience in international cricket.

Hoey could once again be crucial in the fourth ODI. If the Belfast pitch offers similar assistance to spinners, his battle with Afghanistan’s middle order could have a significant influence on the result.

Ireland likely to retain inexperienced trio

Ireland have already handed opportunities to several new players during the series and could continue with the same combination in Belfast.

Ben Calitz, Jai Moondra and Byron McDonough have been retained after making their debuts in the second ODI. Calitz has shown glimpses of promise with scores in the 20s, while McDonough has taken one wicket so far.

Moondra’s position could attract greater attention. The young fast bowler has taken two wickets but has conceded runs at an economy rate of 7.63 per over. With Ireland’s limited depth available for this series, however, the team may decide to give him another opportunity.

The fourth ODI could therefore provide valuable experience for Ireland’s younger players, even though the team’s direct World Cup qualification hopes are already over.

Afghanistan likely to keep winning combination

Afghanistan made one change before the third ODI, bringing Yamin Ahmadzai into the side in place of Mohammad Saleem.

The decision immediately paid dividends. Ahmadzai returned figures of two wickets for 35 runs and also played an important role with the bat during Afghanistan’s tense chase.

His performance should earn him another opportunity in the fourth ODI, particularly after Saleem’s expensive spell in the second match. Afghanistan will be keen to maintain the bowling balance that helped them secure the series lead.

With Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar leading the spin department, the pace attack will have an important supporting role, especially if overnight rain leaves moisture in the surface.

Belfast pitch could favour spinners and seamers

The conditions at Belfast could make batting particularly challenging. The ground has an asymmetrical layout, which can make aerial shots square of the wicket risky because of the positioning of boundary fielders.

The surface also offered assistance to spin during the third ODI. That could encourage both teams to rely heavily on their slow bowlers during the middle overs.

Weather could add another dimension to the contest. Rain is expected around the region, with possible interruptions during the day. If the surface retains moisture, Ireland’s seamers could receive some early assistance before the spinners become more influential.

Temperatures are also expected to remain below 20 degrees Celsius, creating conditions that could make the match difficult for batters who attempt to attack too aggressively.

Ireland’s record ninth-wicket partnership offers hope

Despite losing the third ODI, Ireland produced one notable achievement with the bat. Jai Moondra and Gavin Hoey added 76 runs for the ninth wicket after Ireland had slipped to 128 for 8.

The partnership was a record for Ireland’s men’s team in ODIs for the ninth wicket and demonstrated that the lower order can still provide valuable resistance when the top and middle order fail.

That resilience will be important in Belfast. Ireland cannot afford another major collapse against Afghanistan’s spin attack, but the lower order has shown that the team can fight back even from difficult positions.

Afghanistan’s World Cup qualification adds significance

Afghanistan’s third ODI victory secured their fourth consecutive appearance at an ODI World Cup. The achievement represents another major step in the country’s rapid development as an international cricket team.

Ireland, in contrast, are heading towards their third consecutive World Cup Qualifier. They experienced the same disappointment in 2019 and 2023, failing to reach the main tournament after entering the qualifying competition.

That contrast gives the fourth ODI additional context. Afghanistan can now experiment with combinations and focus on building momentum, while Ireland need to use the remaining games to develop a squad capable of navigating the difficult qualification route ahead.

Players to watch in Ireland vs Afghanistan 4th ODI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: The Afghanistan opener produced a crucial 71 in the third ODI and remains one of the team’s most important sources of runs at the top of the order.

Rashid Khan: Rashid’s all-round contribution was decisive in the previous match. His three wickets and unbeaten chase-building innings once again demonstrated his value to Afghanistan.

AM Ghazanfar: The young spinner took three wickets in the third ODI and will be expected to create another middle-over threat alongside Rashid.

Gavin Hoey: Ireland’s 20-year-old legspinner claimed four wickets in the previous match and could be their most important weapon on a spin-friendly Belfast surface.

Jai Moondra: The young seamer has struggled for consistency but played a memorable role in the record ninth-wicket partnership. Ireland will hope he can make a bigger impact with the ball.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 4th ODI: Probable playing XIs

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

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

What to expect from the fourth ODI

The fourth ODI is likely to revolve around the battle between spin and batting discipline. Afghanistan have already demonstrated that their bowling attack can create decisive pressure, but their batting inconsistencies remain a concern.

Ireland will need a stronger performance from their top order and middle order if they are to challenge the visitors. Their bowlers, particularly Hoey, have already shown that they can trouble Afghanistan’s batters.

For Afghanistan, the priority will be to secure the series while improving their batting execution. With qualification for the 2027 World Cup already confirmed, a convincing victory would provide further momentum and allow the team to build confidence ahead of the global tournament.

Ireland vs Afghanistan 4th ODI will be played in Belfast on August 12, with the match scheduled to begin at 3:15 PM local time. Afghanistan lead the five-match series 2-0 after one game was washed out, and they will now look to turn their qualification success into a series triumph.