Afghanistan head into the fifth and final ODI against Ireland with a commanding 3-0 series lead after another impressive victory in the fourth game. Ireland will look to end the series on a positive note, while Afghanistan will aim to complete a dominant 4-0 series result.
Match details
Match: Ireland vs Afghanistan, 5th ODI, Afghanistan Tour of Ireland 2026
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Date: August 15, 2026
Time: 3:15 PM IST
Series: Afghanistan lead 3-0
Team overviews
Afghanistan have dominated the series and have already secured an unassailable 3-0 lead. Their batting has produced several outstanding performances, with Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran leading the way at the top of the order. Their bowling attack has also remained highly effective, particularly through Rashid Khan, who has claimed 12 wickets in the series.
Ireland have struggled to match Afghanistan’s consistency but have shown individual flashes of quality. Andy Balbirnie has led their batting effort with 152 runs, while Gavin Hoey has taken seven wickets. Ireland will now target a consolation victory in the final ODI and finish the series with some momentum.
Key players
Sediqullah Atal
Sediqullah Atal has been Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in the series, accumulating 215 runs from three matches at a strike rate of 110.26. He scored 143 from 120 balls in the fourth ODI and will once again provide Afghanistan with an important attacking option at the top of the order.
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran has also enjoyed an excellent series, scoring 203 runs from three matches. His century in the fourth ODI played a major role in Afghanistan’s imposing 343-run total.
Andy Balbirnie
Balbirnie has been Ireland’s most productive batter, scoring 152 runs in the series. He followed his strong campaign with a 109-run innings in the fourth ODI, although Ireland ultimately fell 42 runs short.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan’s biggest threat with the ball. The leg-spinner has taken 12 wickets in the series, including a best of 6/34, and currently leads the wicket-taking charts.
Curtis Campher
Campher provided Ireland with a late surge during the fourth ODI, smashing 84 from only 46 balls. His ability to accelerate quickly could again prove important if Ireland need to chase a sizeable total.
Head-to-head and series form
Afghanistan have controlled the current five-match series, winning the first four ODIs and taking a 3-0 lead before the final match.
In the fourth ODI, Afghanistan posted 343/9 after Ibrahim Zadran scored 107 and Sediqullah Atal produced a superb 143. Ireland responded with 301 before being bowled out, despite centuries from Andy Balbirnie and a rapid 84 from Curtis Campher.
Pitch report
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, has produced relatively competitive scoring conditions in this series. The supplied ground statistics indicate an average first-innings score of around 201, while another listed figure puts the average at 181.
Afghanistan’s recent batting performances suggest that a significantly higher total is possible if their top order settles in. The weather and surface can still provide assistance to bowlers, so both teams will want their top-order batters to negotiate the early overs carefully.
Probable match scenarios
Scenario 1: Afghanistan bat first
- Powerplay: 45-55
- Predicted total: 290+
- Expected result: Afghanistan to win
Scenario 2: Ireland bat first
- Powerplay: 45-55
- Predicted total: 270+
- Expected result: Afghanistan to win
Probable playing XIs
Ireland
Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough.
Afghanistan
Rahmat Shah (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (vc), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Nangyal Kharoti, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar.
Probable best performers
Best batter: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz has scored 115 runs in three matches and has maintained a strike rate of 98.29. Although he failed to make a major contribution in the fourth ODI, his aggressive approach at the top makes him a strong candidate to produce a big score in the series finale.
Best bowler: Rashid Khan
Rashid has been Afghanistan’s standout bowler with 12 wickets in three matches. His ability to take wickets through the middle overs could once again put Ireland under significant pressure.
Toss prediction
The supplied prediction favors Afghanistan to win the toss. With Afghanistan’s batting unit in excellent form, batting first could allow them to put another imposing total on the board.
Match prediction
Afghanistan enter the fifth ODI as clear favourites after winning three consecutive matches and producing another comprehensive performance in the fourth game. Their top order has consistently delivered, while Rashid Khan has provided the cutting edge with the ball. Ireland possess enough batting quality through Balbirnie, Campher and Carmichael to make the contest competitive, but they need a much more complete performance across all departments.
The supplied prediction gives Afghanistan a 70% chance of victory, compared with 30% for Ireland. Afghanistan’s current form, superior bowling attack and confidence after taking a 3-0 lead make them the stronger side heading into the final ODI.
Prediction: Afghanistan to win.
