Afghanistan secured the one-day international series against Ireland with a 42-run victory at Stormont, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead with one match remaining. Their record total of 343-9 proved beyond Ireland despite centuries and brisk scoring from the hosts, underlining Afghanistan’s control throughout a series that Ireland had hoped would begin their World Cup qualifying preparations positively.

Sediqullah Atal made 143 from 120 balls on his 25th birthday and Ibrahim Zadran added 107 in a 231-run second-wicket partnership, Afghanistan’s third-highest in ODIs. Ireland replied with Andrew Balbirnie’s 109 and Curtis Campher’s 86 from 46 balls, but were dismissed for 301; Rashid Khan took 3-49 and now has 12 wickets in the series. The final match is on Saturday at Stormont.