Afghanistan returned from the verge of elimination to qualify for next year’s World Cup when they defeated Ireland by five wickets in a tension-filled last Super Six match of at the Harare Sports Club.

Afghanistan suffocated Ireland for runs on what looked like a good batting surface and restricted them to 209 for seven. They then almost made a hash of a straightforward run-chase before coasting home for the loss of five wickets with five balls to spare in what turned out to be a battle of attrition.

Ireland, electing for bat first, lacked intensity and urgency as they failed to build partnerships and in the end had to be content with 209 for seven in 50 overs. Their inability to take control of the proceedings is evident from the fact that they played a total of 174 dot balls and scored only 102 runs in the last 20 overs, including 66 runs for the loss of three wickets in the last 10 overs.

William Porterfield and Paul Stirling added 53 runs for the first wicket in 94 balls, while the third wicket partnership between Stirling and Niall O’Brien produced 44 runs from 52 balls. The other partnership of note was between Kevin O’Brien and Gary Wilson, who added 47 runs for the sixth wicket from 45 balls.

Stirling was Ireland’s top scorer with a clean 55 from 87 balls with three fours and a six, before he was run-out, while Niall O’Brien, playing in his 100th ODI, contributed 36 off 41 with four fours and a six. Kevin O’Brien played a useful hand of less than run-a-ball 41 with three fours and a six.

For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan picked up three wickets for 40 runs and is now just one wicket away from becoming the quickest bowler to 100 ODI wickets. Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran took two for 54.

In their turn at the wicket, Mohammad Shahzad scored his first half-century in seven matches (six ODIs), and dominated the 86 runs first-wicket partnership with Gulbadin Naib in 16.3 overs. Shahzad’s 54 came off 50 balls and included six fours and two sixes. He became first of off-spinner Simi Singh’s victims who finished with impressive figures of three for 30.

Following Shahzad’s dismissal, Ireland tightened the screws around Afghanistan and were rewarded with quick wickets of Rahmat Shah (12), Gulbadin (45) and Mohammad Nabi (12) as Afghanistan reached 151 for four in 40 overs, needing 59 off the last 10 overs.

However, Samiullah Shenwari (27, 63b, 2x4), captain Asghar Stanikzai (39 not out, 29 balls, 4x4, 1x6) and left-hander Najibullah Zadran (17 not out, 15b, 1x6) pushed the ball for ones and twos with an odd boundary here and there to see the team through, much to the relief of their team members who burst into a celebration.