Rahmat Shah's masterclass 143* secures 4-0 whitewash for Afghanistan in Ireland ODIsn't mention read more## Whitewash: Afghanistan complete 4-0 sweep after captain's unbeaten 143 Captain <strong>Rahmat Shah</strong> produced a composed, unbeaten 143 to guide Afghanistan to a dominant six-wicket victory over Ireland on Saturday (August 15), sealing a comprehensive 4-0 clean sweep in the ODI series. <img src="https://static.cricbuzz.com/a/img/v1/540x303/i1/c1053315/rahmat-finished-unbeaten-on-143.jpg" alt="Rahmat Shah finished unbeaten on 143 against Ireland" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; margin: 20px auto; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);" /> Chasing a stiff target of 299, Afghanistan found themselves in early trouble at 22 for 2 after losing both openers inside the Powerplay. But Rahmat, walking in with the innings under pressure, joined forces with <strong>Sediqullah Atal</strong> to stitch a match-defining 201-run partnership that swung the contest firmly in the visitors' favour. <h2>A test of patience after early jitters</h2> Ireland began brightly with the new ball. <strong>Ibrahim Zadran</strong> was the first to fall, attempting a pull against <strong>Liam McCarthy</strong> in the fourth over, before <strong>George Dockrell</strong> took an excellent catch running back from mid-on to dismiss <strong>Rahmanullah Gurbaz</strong> and hand McCarthy his second wicket a short while later. Having assumed control, Ireland remained disciplined throughout the Powerplay, with Afghanistan managing only 30 for 2. The required run-rate soared past seven runs per over as early as the 13th over, yet Rahmat and Atal never lost their composure at the crease. <h2>The shift in tempo</h2> The acceleration came in the 16th over when Rahmat hammered <strong>Gavin Hoey</strong> for a six over deep-midwicket, with Atal backing it up with a boundary three balls later. Settled and comfortable, the duo confidently punished anything loose, both bringing up their fifties and striking timely boundaries as Ireland grew increasingly desperate. The largely chanceless partnership — barring a top-edge that landed safe and a slight mix-up between the wickets — had swelled to 200 by the 40th over. Just as Ireland appeared without hope, McCarthy returned to break the stand, with <strong>Cade Carmichael</strong> swooping in at deep midwicket to take a stunning catch as Atal, eager to reach three figures, heaved a length delivery and departed for 98. <h2>Captain's century seals the chase</h2> Rahmat, however, did not make the same mistake, reaching his first century in more than five years in the 42nd over. <strong>Azmatullah Omarzai</strong> also played a crucial hand, contributing a 14-ball 24 in a 56-run partnership with his captain to tilt the game decisively in Afghanistan's favour. Fittingly, it was the captain who sealed Afghanistan's highest run-chase in ODIs with a boundary in the 49th over, finishing on 143 not out to complete the visitors' 302 for 4. <h2>Earlier: Campher's 96 anchors Ireland</h2> With the series already decided, both teams made three changes each. Afghanistan opted to bowl upon winning the toss and caused plenty of problems for the Irish openers with the new ball, with Omarzai striking twice in the seventh over to remove both <strong>Andrew Balbirnie</strong> and <strong>Paul Stirling</strong>. <strong>AM Ghazanfar</strong> then snapped two fledgling partnerships, dismissing Carmichael in the 15th over and <strong>Lorcan Tucker</strong> in the 19th. <strong>Harry Tector</strong> and <strong>Curtis Campher</strong> stitched a crucial 55-run stand before <strong>Nangeyalia Kharoti</strong> dismissed Tector for 53. Campher then joined forces with Dockrell, and the duo ensured Ireland did not lose momentum. While Omarzai returned to end the threatening 72-run stand, Afghanistan were unable to contain the hosts at the death, with Ireland racking up 101 runs off the final 10 overs. Campher's carnage ended on 96 when he was dismissed by <strong>Saleem Safi</strong> in the final over of the innings. <h2>Brief Scores</h2> <p><strong>Ireland</strong> 298/7 in 50 overs (Curtis Campher 96, Harry Tector 55; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-74) <em>lost to</em> <strong>Afghanistan</strong> 302/4 in 48.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 143*, Sediqullah Atal 98; Liam McCarthy 3-47) <em>by 6 wickets.</em></p>"}]

Afghanistan complete stunning 4-0 series sweep over Ireland

Captain Rahmat Shah produced a composed, unbeaten 143 to guide Afghanistan to a dominant six-wicket victory over Ireland on Saturday (August 15), sealing a comprehensive 4-0 clean sweep in the ODI series.

Chasing a stiff target of 299, Afghanistan found themselves in early trouble at 22 for 2 after losing both openers inside the Powerplay. But Rahmat, walking in with the innings under pressure, joined forces with Sediqullah Atal to stitch a match-defining 201-run partnership that swung the contest firmly in the visitors' favour.

A test of patience after early jitters

Ireland began brightly with the new ball. Ibrahim Zadran was the first to fall, attempting a pull against Liam McCarthy in the fourth over, before George Dockrell took an excellent catch running back from mid-on to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz and hand McCarthy his second wicket a short while later.

Having assumed control, Ireland remained disciplined throughout the Powerplay, with Afghanistan managing only 30 for 2. The required run-rate soared past seven runs per over as early as the 13th over, yet Rahmat and Atal never lost their composure at the crease.

The shift in tempo

The acceleration came in the 16th over when Rahmat hammered Gavin Hoey for a six over deep-midwicket, with Atal backing it up with a boundary three balls later. Settled and comfortable, the duo confidently punished anything loose, both bringing up their fifties and striking timely boundaries as Ireland grew increasingly desperate.

The largely chanceless partnership — barring a top-edge that landed safe and a slight mix-up between the wickets — had swelled to 200 by the 40th over. Just as Ireland appeared without hope, McCarthy returned to break the stand, with Cade Carmichael swooping in at deep midwicket to take a stunning catch as Atal, eager to reach three figures, heaved a length delivery and departed for 98.

Captain's century seals the chase

Rahmat, however, did not make the same mistake, reaching his first century in more than five years in the 42nd over. Azmatullah Omarzai also played a crucial hand, contributing a 14-ball 24 in a 56-run partnership with his captain to tilt the game decisively in Afghanistan's favour.

Fittingly, it was the captain who sealed Afghanistan's highest run-chase in ODIs with a boundary in the 49th over, finishing on 143 not out to complete the visitors' 302 for 4.

Earlier: Campher's 96 anchors Ireland

With the series already decided, both teams made three changes each. Afghanistan opted to bowl upon winning the toss and caused plenty of problems for the Irish openers with the new ball, with Omarzai striking twice in the seventh over to remove both Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling.

AM Ghazanfar then snapped two fledgling partnerships, dismissing Carmichael in the 15th over and Lorcan Tucker in the 19th. Harry Tector and Curtis Campher stitched a crucial 55-run stand before Nangeyalia Kharoti dismissed Tector for 53.

Campher then joined forces with Dockrell, and the duo ensured Ireland did not lose momentum. While Omarzai returned to end the threatening 72-run stand, Afghanistan were unable to contain the hosts at the death, with Ireland racking up 101 runs off the final 10 overs. Campher's carnage ended on 96 when he was dismissed by Saleem Safi in the final over of the innings.

Brief Scores

Ireland 298/7 in 50 overs (Curtis Campher 96, Harry Tector 55; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-74) lost to Afghanistan 302/4 in 48.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 143*, Sediqullah Atal 98; Liam McCarthy 3-47) by 6 wickets.