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.
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.
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