[WATCH] Rashid Khan grabs sensational catch in 4th ODI versus Ireland

Rashid Khan produced a moment of sharp fielding during the recently concluded fourth one-day international between Ireland and Afghanistan in Belfast on Wednesday, August 12. The catch drew immediate attention as Afghanistan worked to keep Ireland under pressure in the field, with the hosts chasing a steep target of 344.

At the time of the catch, the scoreboard showed Ireland on 247 for 6 in the 44th over. Curtis Campher was unbeaten on 45, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s figures at that point read 1 wicket for 36 runs. Ireland still required 97 runs from 42 balls remaining to reach Afghanistan’s total of 343 for 9.

Mark Adair, the batter dismissed, hit the ball fiercely through the covers. However, the shot was uppish, and it was enough for Rashid to bring his flying boots into play. The senior pro timed his jump to perfection and completed a fine one-handed catch, diving to his left. Azmatullah Omarzai was the bowler who benefitted from the dismissal, which was also his second breakthrough of the evening.

This encounter is a part of the five-match series being played in Belfast. Afghanistan entered the game holding an unassailable 2-0 lead. The opening match of the series was abandoned due to rain, and Afghanistan then won the second ODI by 92 runs before sealing the series with a three-wicket victory in the 3rd ODI on August 10.

That 3rd ODI win also confirmed Afghanistan‘s qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Southern Africa, securing them a place as the eighth and final direct qualifier for the tournament. In that match, Ireland posted 206 and Afghanistan reached 207 for 7 to complete the chase.

Rashid has been in outstanding form throughout this series. In the 2nd ODI on August 7 at Bready, he claimed 6 for 34, his third six-wicket haul in ODI cricket, taking four of the last seven wickets to fall. In the 3rd ODI, he followed that with 3 for 44 with the ball and then contributed an unbeaten 37 in the chase, earning the Player of the Match award for his all-round display.

The fifth and final ODI of the series is still to be played in Belfast, with Afghanistan having already secured both the series and their World Cup berth.