BELFAST — Afghanistan secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after beating Ireland by three wickets in the third one-day international of their five-match series, guaranteeing a top-eight finish in the men's ODI rankings by the Sept. 30 cutoff.
Afghanistan chased down Ireland's 206 at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Monday, reaching 207 for seven with 31 balls remaining. Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 71, while Rashid Khan made an unbeaten 37 to guide Afghanistan through a tense finish.
The result gave Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after the opening match was washed out and Afghanistan won the second ODI by 92 runs. The victory also ended Ireland's hopes of securing a direct World Cup place through the rankings.
Ireland, batting first after being put in, was bowled out for 206. Rashid took three wickets for 44 runs and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three for 29. Ireland recovered from 128 for eight through a 76-run ninth-wicket partnership between Gavin Hoey, who made 36, and Jai Moondra, who scored 31, but the innings ended with 3.3 overs unused.
Afghanistan initially progressed steadily in the chase before losing Ibrahim Zadran for 12. Sediqullah Atal made 27 and Hashmatullah Shahidi 22, while Gurbaz struck five sixes and two fours before being dismissed. Ireland briefly threatened again when Mark Adair removed Azmatullah Omarzai to leave Afghanistan at 176 for seven, but Rashid completed the chase with his unbeaten 37.
Under the qualification system, the eight highest-ranked ODI teams at the Sept. 30 cutoff, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, qualify directly for the 2027 tournament. Afghanistan's victory ensured it would finish inside that group. Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh had already secured direct qualification.
The West Indies, currently ranked 10th, will instead have to enter the qualification tournament. The two-time champions also failed to qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup and subsequently missed that tournament after losing in the qualifiers.
The 2027 World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Afghanistan's qualification leaves the remaining places to be determined through the tournament's qualification pathway, with the full qualifier schedule yet to be announced.
