Rahmat Shah takes over as Afghanistan’s new ODI and Test captain after Hashmatullah Shahidi’s resignation. Rahmanullah Gurbaz named vice-captain. Read more abou
Hashmatullah Shahidi has announced his resignation as the captain of Afghanistan’s One Day International (ODI) side. His decision marks the end of a tenure that began in early 2022. Following Shahidi’s departure, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named Rahmat Shah as the new captain for both the Test and ODI formats. Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been appointed as the vice-captain for both formats.
Shahidi led the national team in significant tournaments, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. During the 50-over World Cup in India, Afghanistan achieved notable victories against teams such as England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, narrowly missing out on the knockout stages. His leadership also saw Afghanistan make its debut in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they defeated England and finished fifth overall.
Shahidi’s captaincy, which spanned over four and a half years, concluded with his announcement on social media. He expressed his honour in serving as captain and highlighted the teamwork, sacrifices, and coordination that contributed to the team’s achievements. Shahidi confirmed his continued availability as a player within the ODI setup.
A Successful Captaincy Tenure
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s leadership commenced on May 31, 2021, and is regarded as one of the most successful periods in Afghanistan’s cricket history. He began his captaincy with an ODI series victory over the Netherlands in January 2022. Under his guidance, Afghanistan secured 27 wins in 55 ODIs.
A significant highlight of his captaincy was the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where Afghanistan delivered strong performances, including victories over major cricketing nations. This successful campaign ensured Afghanistan’s qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Under Shahidi, Afghanistan also reached its highest-ever position of seventh in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. The team experienced considerable success in bilateral series, winning five consecutive ODI series between 2024 and 2025 against Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. The series triumph against South Africa was particularly noteworthy as it marked Afghanistan’s first bilateral ODI series victory over the Proteas. Shahidi also led Afghanistan to three consecutive ODI series wins against Bangladesh, starting with an away victory in 2023, followed by back-to-back series wins in the UAE in 2024 and 2025.
New Leadership Takes Charge
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) acknowledged Hashmatullah Shahidi’s contributions, expressing gratitude for his service, dedication, and leadership. The board also extended its best wishes for his future endeavours. The appointment of Rahmat Shah as the new captain is based on his extensive international experience and his prior role as vice-captain in both Tests and ODIs since 2021. The ACB believes Shah is well-prepared to guide the team into a new phase.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s appointment as vice-captain is expected to complement Shah’s leadership, aiming for continued success for the team. The new leadership duo will officially commence their roles during Afghanistan’s upcoming series against Ireland. While Shah and Gurbaz take charge of the Test and ODI teams, Ibrahim Zadran will continue to lead the T20I side, a role he assumed from Rashid Khan in March 2026. This arrangement signifies that Afghanistan will now have separate captains across the different formats of the game.
The ACB anticipates that the new leadership structure will foster further growth and achievements for Afghanistan cricket in the coming series against Ireland.
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Source: icc-cricket.com
