298 became 302/4 — and the entire Ireland innings flipped on a Rahmat Shah 143* that sealed Afghanistan’s highest successful ODI chase in Belfast on 15 August 2026. Here’s what it meant for a 4-0 series win, the chase itself, and the partnerships that decided the evening.
Overview: what happened in Belfast, and who finished it
On 15 August 2026, Afghanistan chased 299 against Ireland at Belfast. They finished on 302 for 4 in 48.5 overs, winning by 6 wickets and completing a 4-0 series whitewash. Ireland had set 298 for 7 in 50 overs, with Curtis Campher 96 and Harry Tector 53 doing the heavy lifting.
Afghanistan’s response started poorly. They were 22 for 2 inside the first 6 overs, so the chase looked like it could go one way quickly. Then Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal took control. They built momentum, removing pressure ball by ball until the target was no longer a question.
Key Details: the numbers that broke the chase open
The defining turning point was the third-wicket stand. Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal put on 201 runs together, sharing a platform that Ireland couldn’t puncture late. Rahmat struck 143 not out, and Atal made 98. Both batters contributed nearly the full chase-winning innings in one partnership.
Here’s the simplest way to read it: Ireland made a strong enough score—298/7—but Afghanistan’s openers couldn’t hold their ground early. Once they were 22/2, the chase depended on whether someone could bat through the middle overs and deny Ireland repeat wickets. Rahmat’s 143* answered that directly, while Atal’s 98 kept the strike rotating and the scoreboard climbing.
| Segment | Afghanistan | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Team total | 302/4 (48.5 ov) | 298/7 (50 ov) |
| Chase target | 299 | — |
| Top scorers | Rahmat Shah 143; Sediqullah Atal 98 | Curtis Campher 96; Harry Tector 53 |
| Match result | Won by 6 wickets | — |
Context: why this chase matters beyond one match
Afghanistan’s chase wasn’t just successful—it was historic. The result sealed Afghanistan’s highest successful ODI chase, reframing how quickly the team can tilt a game when conditions and early wickets don’t go their way. The win also completed a 4-0 series win over Ireland, turning this fifth ODI into a clean statement rather than a lone isolated performance.
The partnership also rewrote a team benchmark. The Rahmat Shah–Sediqullah Atal third-wicket stand of 201 surpassed Afghanistan’s previous best third-wicket partnership of 184 against Ireland in Abu Dhabi in 2021. That’s a milestone readers feel in the match narrative: it tells you this wasn’t only “one good innings”—it was a record-building partnership structure.
On the bowling side, Ireland had moments, and the innings wasn’t a free hit. Liam McCarthy took 3 wickets for 37 or 47 runs depending on the report, while Azmatullah Omarzai is cited with 3 for 74 in some accounts. Even with wicket-taking attempts, the scoreboard couldn’t recover once the 201-run stand started to dictate pace, boundaries, and shot selection—especially with Rahmat holding one end.
Also, the innings was his highest ODI score, and it was the century that “sealed the chase,” not just a late flourish. According to ESPN’s match coverage, the hundred came at the exact time Afghanistan needed it—after the early wobble.
What’s next: momentum for Afghanistan, questions for Ireland
Afghanistan now has a momentum line that matters for future selection and confidence: a chase that turned around from 22/2 to 302/4 with one batter carrying the innings to 143* and another providing strong support with 98. In ODI cricket, that’s a template—stabilise early damage, build a large middle-overs partnership, and finish with controlled aggression.
Ireland, meanwhile, will have to revisit how to defend an opening phase when the chase requires acceleration. They were able to set 298/7, but once Rahmat and Sediqullah formed the 201-run partnership, the pressure converted into a chase plan Afghanistan executed cleanly.
These are the kinds of innings that become reference points for how franchises and national selectors evaluate temperament—because a century that rescues a chase is different from a century scored in comfort. Afghanistan’s run chase also gives them a psychological edge heading into the next ODI stretch, while Ireland will likely prioritise middle-over matchup clarity.
Related Articles
- Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI 2026: Nabi’s 5-for seals 2-0 lead
- Padikkal’s maiden century leads India’s dominance
- Zadran, Atal tons power Afghanistan to 3-0 lead — 2026 ODI report
FAQs
How did Rahmat Shah’s century change Afghanistan’s chase?
After Afghanistan were 22 for 2 in the first 6 overs, Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal built a 201-run third-wicket stand. Rahmat’s 143 not out anchored the recovery and carried Afghanistan to 302/4 and a 6-wicket win.
What was Afghanistan’s highest ODI chase achievement in this match?
Afghanistan’s 302/4 in 48.5 overs after chasing 299 is highlighted as their highest successful ODI chase. The record is tied directly to the chase outcome versus Ireland in Belfast.
Who scored what for Ireland in the final ODI target?
Ireland finished
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