Afghanistan vs Ireland: Rashid Khan scores swashbuckling 48, takes four wickets to help hosts complete series sweep

Abu Dhabi: A brilliant all-round display from Rashid Khan helped Afghanistan secure a series clean sweep against Ireland on Tuesday with a 36-run victory in the third one-day international at Abu Dhabi. Rashid’s swashbuckling 48 helped Afghanistan recover from 163-7 to post 266-9 from their 50 overs, before the leg-spinner took four wickets as Ireland fell short despite a second straight hundred from Paul Stirling. The whitewash sees Afghanistan collect 30 points in the race to qualify for the 2023 World Cup in India. [caption id=“attachment_9241791” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The Afghanistan cricket team walks off after beating Ireland. Twitter@Irelandcricket[/caption] After a quick start, the Afghans became bogged down by Ireland’s spinners, with Simi Singh claiming 3-37. But a stunning late onslaught from Rashid, whose 40-ball innings featured three fours and three sixes, saw Afghanistan post a competitive total. Stirling’s 12th ODI ton helped Ireland stay in the chase despite losing regular wickets, but the opener was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 37th over. A 30-run eighth-wicket partnership between Singh and Andy McBrine kept the slim Irish hopes alive. But, after Hashmatullah Shahidi made a mess of a catch from Singh off Rashid’s bowling, Mohammad Nabi was alert to the situation to run out Singh. Rashid bowled Craig Young with the next delivery and Naveen-ul-Haq trapped McBrine lbw as Afghanistan completed the series in style with three wickets in as many balls.