4th ODI: Aftab Alam scalps 4 as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 109 runs

By winning the 4th ODI, the Asghar Afghan-led Afghanistan took an unassailable lead in the five-match series.

Afghanistan took an unassailable lead in the five-match ODI series as they beat Ireland by 109 runs in the fourth ODI and took a 2-1 lead in Dehradun on Friday.

Afghanistan managed to recover from the early batting wobble to post 223 runs and their bowlers dismantled Ireland for 114 runs in 35.3 overs to seal what eventually turned out to be a comfortable win. (Afghanistan vs Ireland, 4th ODI: SCORECARD)

Aftab Alam scalped four wickets while the spin-bowling duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman scalped two wickets each.

Earlier, Afghanistan managed to recover from 81/6 to 223 thanks to brilliant knocks from Mohammad Nabi, captain Asghar Afghan and down at the end, Rashid.

Asked to bat, Afghanistan were off to one of their worst starts in recent history as their batsmen threw away their wickets. Afghan and Nabi were adamant to stem the flurry of wickets. The duo conjured 50 runs for the seventh wicket before the captain was run out by George Dockrell in the 33rd over. Afghan added 54 off 70 which included four boundaries and three sixes.

Nabi, who top scored with 64, was well supported by Rashid as the duo then steadied the innings with an 86-run partnership before James Cameron-Dow returned to claim his third wicket in Nabi, who found Dockrell at long-off. His 85-ball stay at the crease was studded with six boundaries.

Meanwhile, Rashid, who batted with great maturity, continued to fire and notched up his fourth ODI half-century. However, his fine knock was brought to an end by Dockrell, who picked his first wicket as Afghanistan were bowled out for 223 in the last over.

Cameron-Dow returned with figures of three for 32 in his 10 overs, while Andy McBrine and Boyd Rankin pocketed two wickets apiece. Ireland came back to win the third ODI on Tuesday after losing the opener and the second match was abandoned due to rain.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 223 all out (Mohammad Nabi 64, Asghar Afghan 54, Rashid Khan 52; James Cameron-Dow 3/32, Andy McBrine 2/37, Boyd Rankin 2/50) beat Ireland 114 all out (Kevin O Brien 26, William Porterfield 21; Aftab Alam 4/26, Rashid Khan 2/22) by 109 runs