Sediqullah Atal produced a career-best 143 and Ibrahim Zadran struck an assured 107 as Afghanistan secured the ODI series with a commanding 42-run victory over Ireland in the fourth match in Belfast. The win gave Afghanistan an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Put in to bat, Afghanistan posted a formidable 343 for 9 in their 50 overs, built on a stunning 231-run stand for the second wicket between Atal and Ibrahim. The pair wrestled control from Ireland after the early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who fell for just 12.

Ibrahim reached his century from 114 balls before finishing on 107 from 118 deliveries, while Atal was the more aggressive of the pair, bringing up his hundred from just 98 balls before kicking on to 143 off 120, an innings laced with 17 fours and four sixes. Their partnership carried Afghanistan past 240 before Ireland finally found a breakthrough.

Ireland's bowlers fought back admirably in the closing stages to check Afghanistan's momentum, with Byron McDonough claiming three wickets and Mark Adair two. Darwish Rasooli added 24 and Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with 15 as Afghanistan closed on a total that left Ireland with a stern chase.

Ireland began steadily before stalling in the middle. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie put on 48 for the opening wicket, but Stirling was trapped lbw by Allah Ghazanfar for 27 and Yamin Ahmadzai bowled Cade Carmichael for five to leave Ireland at 53 for 2. Balbirnie held firm alongside Harry Tector, reaching his century and keeping the hosts in the contest even as the required rate climbed.

Curtis Campher then reignited the chase with a blistering 84 from just 46 balls, and Balbirnie made a defiant 109 from 119 deliveries. But Afghanistan continued to prise out wickets as Ireland attempted to accelerate, and once Campher departed the chase lost all momentum. Yamin Ahmadzai finished with four wickets and Rashid Khan three as Ireland were bowled out for 301 in 48 overs.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan 343/9 in 50 overs (Sediqullah Atal 143, Ibrahim Zadran 107; Byron McDonough 3-84, Mark Adair 2-60, Gavin Hoey 2-71) beat Ireland 301 all out in 48 overs (Andy Balbirnie 109, Curtis Campher 84; Yamin Ahmadzai 4-71, Rashid Khan 3-49) by 42 runs.