This series, the first in charge for new head coach Gary Wilson, ostensibly marked the start of Ireland’s preparations for February’s World Cup qualifiers.
Their first fixtures in the format since May 2025 were always likely to display some 50-over rust but to have already lost the series without coming within a sniff of a victory will hardly raise hopes of making next year’s tournament for the first time since 2015.
While Saturday’s conclusion of the home summer still offers an opportunity to salvage something from the series, at present Wilson is left looking at more measured positives.
In taking the two most stubborn of Afghanistan wickets on Wednesday, Hoey continued to stake his claim to serve Ireland as a wicket-taking spinner in the middle overs. Added to four wickets and 36 runs on Monday, the 24-year-old is one who has pressed his case through the series.
Balbirnie’s century – his 10th in ODI cricket which leaves him behind only Paul Stirling and William Porterfield in Irish colours – has of course been the best knock of the series for the hosts so far.
For a player not in Ireland’s T20 side, it was a timely reminder of his importance at the top of the order as captain Paul Stirling continues to search for a score.
All-rounder Curtis Campher was in the same category coming in to Wednesday but provided the desired x-factor in the middle order as he accelerated to 84 before targeting one boundary too many.
Still, after June’s T20 2-0 victory over world champions India, this series has already brought Irish cricket back down to earth with something of a bump.
