Afghanistan comfortably claim series over IrelandImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sediqullah Atal hit 143 off 120 balls on his 25th birthdayPublished36 minutes agoFourth one-day international, StormontAfghanistan 343-9 (50.0 overs): Sediqullah 143 (120), Zadran 107 (118); McDonough 3-84Ireland 301 (48.0 overs): Balbirnie 109 (119), Campher 86 (46); Rashid 3-49Afghanistan won by 42 runs, lead five-game series 3-0Scorecard
Afghanistan sealed series victory over Ireland with a game to spare at Stormont thanks to their record tally in the one-day format.
Ibrahim Zadran and Sediq Atal both hit centuries in their second-wicket stand as Afghanistan reached 343-9 to leave Ireland with what would have been their record ODI chase.
After the opener of the series was washed out in Bready last week, the tourists took control of proceedings with 92-run and three-wicket victories in games two and three respectively.
Despite leaking runs in the late overs, this was another comfortable victory.
Opener Andrew Balbirnie did provide a century of his own in response for Ireland before becoming the 11th of Rashid Khan’s 12 wickets to date in this series.
Curtis Campher’s aggressive 84 from 46 balls kept faint Irish hopes alive but chances of a home victory never felt more than remote and they were bowled out for 301.
The series concludes on Saturday with a final game at Stormont.
