Afghanistan Shatters ODI Record with 343 Against Ireland in Thrilling Victory Afghanistan’s cricket team made history on August 12, 2026, by setting a new record for the highest ODI score in the sport, achieving 343/9 against Ireland in Belfast. The victory, a 42-run win, extended their 5-match series lead to 3-0, with one game remaining. The match, played at the Belfast Civil Service Cricket Club, saw two standout performances from Sediqullah Atal and captain Ibrahim Zadran, who both struck centuries. Atal’s innings of 143 off 120 balls, featuring 17 fours and 4 sixes, and Zadran’s 107 off 118 balls, marked a historic partnership of 231 runs for the second wicket. This surpassed Afghanistan’s previous ODI record of 339/6, set in February 2024. The duo’s dominance allowed Afghanistan to build a formidable total, despite losing six wickets in the final overs. Ireland’s response was lackluster, as they managed only 301/9, falling short of the target. Captain Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie led the charge, with Balbirnie scoring 100 off 113 balls, including 38 runs in the 40th over. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Rashid Khan, dismantled the Irish batting order, claiming four wickets in the 40th over alone. The victory solidified Afghanistan’s position in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, where they sit eighth. The win also secured their place in the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, as they had already qualified through the rankings. The series now shifts to Belfast for the final match on August 14, where Afghanistan aims to clinch a 4-0 sweep. Zadran’s century marked his seventh ODI hundred, making him the third fastest player to reach 2,000 ODI runs. Atal’s innings, meanwhile, highlighted his explosive batting, with his 143 contributing significantly to Afghanistan’s record-breaking total.#afghanistan #belfast #ireland #ibrahim_zadran #sediqullah_atal
Belfast Actor at Center of Peaky Blinders Film The film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is set to debut on Netflix on March 20, 2026, marking the feature-length adaptation of the popular TV series. Belfast actor Packy Lee plays Johnny Dogs, Tommy Shelby’s steadfast companion, in the story that intertwines the fate of the Birmingham gang leader with the turmoil of World War Two. The film stars Cillian Murphy as Shelby, alongside Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth, Stephen Graham, and Rebecca Ferguson. In the narrative, Shelby’s relationship with his son Duke, portrayed by Keoghan, is central to the plot, as their lives become entangled with the broader conflict of the war. The film opens with Shelby as an isolated, haunted figure, with Johnny Dogs as his sole confidant. Lee described the role as a significant step in his career, allowing him to explore Shelby’s perspective during a time when the gang boss is removed from the chaos of the world. “We’ve moved on in time and had the opportunity to uncover what it was like for Tommy Shelby when he wasn’t involved in the craziness of the world,” Lee explained. Writer Steven Knight’s script draws Shelby back into the conflict, blending historical events with fictional elements. Lee praised Knight’s ability to merge fact and fiction, calling the film a “wonderful experience” that also offers a deep dive into history. “There’s a lot of it that’s very true,” he noted, emphasizing the film’s grounding in real events. Lee, who has been a long-time cast member of the Peaky Blinders TV series, reflected on the show’s evolution from a BBC Two series to a BBC One phenomenon driven by fan demand. He credited the audience for pushing the show to its current form, including its transition to a film.#barry_keoghan #cillian_murphy #peaky_blinders #steven_knight #belfast
