Best Bowling Figures For Afghanistan In ODIs

Rashid Khan for Afghanistan [Source: ICC]

Rashid Khan reminded the cricketing world once again why he remains one of Afghanistan’s biggest match-winners. The leg-spinner delivered a devastating spell against Ireland in the second ODI at Bready on Friday, claiming six wickets as Afghanistan secured a dominant 92-run victory.

Rashid’s latest performance also placed him among a remarkable list of Afghanistan bowlers who have produced some of the finest ODI spells in the country’s history. 

Afghanistan's bowling crushes Ireland

From dismantling Ireland’s batting lineup to producing a stunning seven-wicket haul against the West Indies, the leg-spinner has repeatedly turned matches on their heads.

In this article, we take a look at Afghanistan’s five best ODI bowling figures from the list, with Rashid Khan featuring three times.

5) Gulbadin Naib – 6/43 Vs Ireland (2019, Belfast)

Gulbadin Naib produced one of the finest bowling performances of his ODI career when Afghanistan faced Ireland in the second ODI at Belfast in May 2019.

Afghanistan had posted a commanding 305/7 after Mohammad Shahzad smashed a century and Najibullah Zadran provided a late flourish. Ireland, therefore, needed a strong start in their chase, but Afghanistan’s bowling attack kept chipping away at the hosts.

It was Naib who eventually became the chief destroyer. The Afghanistan all-rounder returned figures of 6/43 from 9.2 overs, accounting for six Irish batters. His victims included Andy Balbirnie, Kevin O'Brien, Gary Wilson, Barry McCarthy and Tim Murtagh.

Interestingly, Naib’s spell came despite Rashid Khan bowling nine economical overs without taking a wicket. The captain’s six-wicket haul ensured that Ireland were eventually bowled out for just 179 in 41.2 overs.

Afghanistan won the match by 126 runs, with Naib’s remarkable spell playing a huge role in their emphatic victory.

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4) Rashid Khan – 6/43 Vs Ireland (2017, Greater Noida)

Before becoming one of the most feared spinners in world cricket, Rashid Khan was already producing extraordinary numbers for Afghanistan. One such performance came against Ireland in the second ODI at Greater Noida in March 2017.

Afghanistan had put 338 runs on the board, with Asghar Afghan smashing a brilliant century. Ireland, however, responded strongly, led by Paul Stirling’s magnificent 95 and a quickfire 37 from Stuart Thompson.

With Ireland threatening to chase down the huge target, Afghanistan needed a game-changing spell, and Rashid delivered.

The young leg-spinner ripped through the Irish middle and lower order, finishing with astonishing figures of 6/43 from 9.3 overs. His victims included Stirling, William Porterfield, Niall O'Brien, Gary Wilson, Andy McBrine and Peter Chase.

Rashid’s six-wicket haul eventually helped Afghanistan dismiss Ireland for 304, sealing a 34-run victory. It was another early indication of the extraordinary impact the spinner would eventually have on international cricket.

3) Rashid Khan – 6/34 Vs Ireland (2026, Bready)

Rashid Khan’s latest entry on this list came in one of Afghanistan’s most dominant ODI performances against Ireland.

Playing the second ODI at Bready on August 7, Afghanistan first posted 299/8 in a rain-reduced 47-over contest. Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with 84, while Hashmatullah Shahidi’s unbeaten 36 off just 21 balls provided a powerful finish.

Ireland needed 300 to win, but Rashid had completely different plans. The Afghanistan captain produced a sensational spell, claiming 6/34 from 7.4 overs. He broke through Ireland’s batting order repeatedly, dismissing Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, Jai Moondra and Byron McDonough.

What made the performance even more impressive was the way Rashid controlled the game after Ireland had briefly threatened through Cade Carmichael’s 62.

Once Rashid entered his destructive phase, the Irish innings collapsed rapidly. Ireland were eventually bowled out for 207 in just 33.4 overs, handing Afghanistan a massive 92-run victory.

2) AM Ghazanfar – 6/26 Vs Bangladesh (2024, Sharjah)

AM Ghazanfar announced himself on the international stage with a performance that was impossible to ignore.

The young Afghanistan spinner produced a stunning six-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the first ODI at Sharjah in November 2024, completely dismantling the opposition batting lineup.

Afghanistan had struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 235, despite Mohammad Nabi’s excellent 84 and Hashmatullah Shahidi’s patient 52. Bangladesh appeared to have a reasonable chance of chasing the target, but Ghazanfar turned the contest into a one-sided affair.

Bowling 6.3 overs, the youngster conceded just 26 runs while picking up six wickets. His spell included the dismissals of Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam.

Bangladesh eventually collapsed to 143 in 34.3 overs, giving Afghanistan a 92-run victory. Ghazanfar’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award and established him as one of Afghanistan’s exciting bowling prospects.

1) Rashid Khan – 7/18 Vs West Indies (2017, Gros Islet)

When it comes to Afghanistan’s greatest ODI bowling performances, there is arguably no spell more destructive than Rashid Khan’s seven-wicket demolition of the West Indies.

The performance came in the first ODI at Gros Islet in June 2017. Afghanistan had posted 212/6 after Javed Ahmadi’s 81 and a late unbeaten 41 from Gulbadin Naib.

The leg-spinner claimed a staggering 7/18 from just 8.4 overs, including one maiden. He ran through the West Indies batting lineup and dismissed Shai Hope, Jason Mohammed, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Alzarri Joseph and Miguel Cummins.

What made the spell even more remarkable was the economy rate. Rashid conceded just 18 runs while taking seven wickets, returning an extraordinary economy rate of 2.07.

West Indies were eventually bowled out for just 149, giving Afghanistan a 63-run victory. It remains Rashid Khan’s greatest ODI bowling performance and one of the most devastating spells ever produced by an Afghanistan bowler.

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