Ed Joyce struck an unbeaten century as Ireland levelled their five-match one-day international series with Afghanistan courtesy of a six-wicket win in Belfast.
Chasing 237 to make it 1-1 with two games left to play, the hosts eased to victory with 15 deliveries to spare after Joyce carried his bat for 105 off 135 balls.
The Sussex left-hander steered Ireland from a perilous position at 29 for three following Hamid Hassan's early double strike, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 144 inside 29 overs with Kevin O'Brien.
O'Brien contributed a 85-ball 75 and despite departing with 64 runs still required, former England international Joyce and Paul Stirling - with 39 not out - guided Ireland home.
O'Brien and Barry McCarthy had earlier performed impressively with the ball, taking 3-28 and 3-57 respectively, as Afghanistan let a promising position slip.
The tourists appeared comfortable at 139 for three in the 32nd over until they lost four wickets for 31 runs, including Mohammad Shahzad for 81.
Mohammad Nabi's 40 and 24 from Rashid Khan helped them reach 236 before they were bowled out in the penultimate over.
It was Joyce's third ODI century - his eighth overall for Ireland - following hundreds against Pakistan in Dublin and Zimbabwe in Hobart.
It was a morale-boosting win for John Bracewell’s charges and it sets up Sunday’s penultimate game nicely as far as the series itself is concerned.
At Stormont, Ireland beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets
Afghanistan 236 all out (49.1 overs, M Shahzad 81, M Nabi 40, A Stanikzai 33, R Khan 24, K O’Brien 3-28, B McCarthy 3-57, P Chase 2-68)
Ireland 237-4 (47.3 overs, E Joyce 105*, K O’Brien 75, P Stirling 39*, H Hassan 2-21)
