Afghanistan have secured direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup after a commanding 92-run victory over Ireland in the second ODI of their five-match series.
The result at Bready confirmed Afghanistan’s place at the 14-team tournament. It also removed the pressure of World Cup qualification from their remaining matches in Ireland. The ICC has confirmed that the 2027 event will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
92-run victory seals Afghanistan’s World Cup place
Rain forced the first ODI to end without a ball being bowled. Afghanistan responded strongly in the second match and completed a 92-run victory on August 7. The ICC match centre recorded Afghanistan at 299 for eight before Ireland fell well short of the target.
That victory secured the result Afghanistan needed for direct qualification. Afghanistan join South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka among teams that have secured their places.
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South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically as Full Member hosts. The other direct places come through the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. The ICC had previously confirmed that the top eight eligible teams in the rankings would reach the World Cup directly.
The tournament will feature 14 teams. The ICC recently approved a revised three-stage competition format for the 2027 edition.
Gurbaz and Rashid extend Afghanistan’s dominance
Afghanistan then strengthened their grip on the series with a three-wicket victory in the third ODI at Stormont on August 10.
Ireland made 206 before losing their final wicket in 46.3 overs. Rashid Khan and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three wickets each. Yamin Ahmadzai took two wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai added one wicket apiece.
Afghanistan reached 207 for seven in 45 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the chase with 71. Rashid remained unbeaten on 37, while Sediq Atal scored 27 and Hashmatullah Shahidi made 22.
The ICC praised Rashid’s all-round influence after he followed his six-wicket haul in the second ODI with three more wickets.
Ireland spinner Gavin Hoey, who took a career-best four for 34, also praised the Afghanistan star.
“He’s a serious competitor and he’s somebody I’ve looked at a lot and tried to emulate as much as I can,” Hoey said.
Ireland forced to take World Cup Qualifier route
Afghanistan’s qualification has ended West Indies’ hopes of claiming a direct World Cup spot. Ireland must now pursue qualification through the 10-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The top four sides from that event will reach the main tournament.
Ireland entered the Afghanistan series knowing how important World Cup qualification had become.
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“We’re laser-focused on 50-over cricket right now for that reason,” Ireland coach Gary Wilson said before the series.
Afghanistan now hold a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The fourth ODI will take place at Stormont on August 12, followed by the fifth match at the same venue on August 15.
The qualification adds another major achievement to Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket and guarantees their presence at another global ICC event.
