Rashid Khan’s six-for powers Afghanistan to 92-run win over Ireland

Rashid Khan carried his stunning recent form from The Hundred onto the international stage, claiming six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs in the rain-affected second ODI in Bready on Friday (August 7).

Afghanistan posted 299 for eight in a match reduced to 47 overs per side before Rashid dismantled Ireland’s batting lineup. The hosts were bowled out for 207 in 33.4 overs, with the Afghanistan leg-spinner finishing with remarkable figures of 6-34 from 7.4 overs.

The haul was Rashid’s seventh five-wicket performance in 113 ODI innings, moving him level with Australia great Glenn McGrath for the fifth-most five-wicket hauls in ODI history.

It was also Rashid’s third six-wicket haul in ODIs, taking him to second on the all-time list for six-wicket innings in the format. Only Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, with five, has achieved the feat more often.

Rashid’s latest performance came just five days after another five-wicket haul in recognised cricket. Last Sunday, he claimed five wickets for 17 runs from 20 deliveries in The Hundred, his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket in nearly four and a half years.

While Rashid dominated with the ball, Ibrahim Zadran anchored Afghanistan’s innings with a composed 84 off 97 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes.

Sediqullah Atal contributed 45 off 50 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai added a brisk 33 from 24 deliveries. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 32 off 30, and Rahmat Shah made 30 from 33 balls.

Hashmatullah Shahidi provided the late acceleration, smashing 36 off just 21 balls to lift Afghanistan close to the 300-run mark.

Ireland struggled to build momentum in their chase as Rashid repeatedly broke through their batting order. His six-wicket burst ensured Afghanistan completed a comfortable victory despite the weather interruption.