Rahmat Shah takes over Afghanistan's Test and ODI captaincy after Shahidi steps down
Rahmat Shah, Sachin Tendulkar (Source: Instagram/rahmat_shah08)
Published - 22 Jul 2026, 04:17 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Rahmat Shah has been named Afghanistan's new captain for Tests and ODIs after Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down from the position, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced on Wednesday, July 22. On the other hand, wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz will act as the vice-captain of the team.
Hashmatullah Shahidi was appointed Afghanistan's captain on May 31, 2021, and began his tenure with an ODI series win over the Netherlands in January 2022. Since then, he has overseen one of the most successful periods in the team's history, leading Afghanistan to several landmark victories and notable progress in the ICC rankings.
During his tenure, Afghanistan won 27 of their 55 ODIs and climbed to their highest-ever seventh place in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings. The team also recorded five consecutive bilateral ODI series victories between 2024 and 2025, defeating Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
The series victory over South Africa was also Afghanistan’s first-ever in history. The 31-year-old led his team in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup in 2023 as well as the Champions Trophy in 2025. Shahidi also guided them to memorable victories against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands at the 2023 World Cup, where they almost made it to the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Rahmat Shah has served as Afghanistan's vice-captain in both Tests and ODIs since May 31, 2021, providing consistent support alongside Shahidi throughout his captaincy.
Rahmat Shah's career so far
The 33-year-old has scored 1043 runs from 12 Tests at an average of 45.34 with three centuries and six fifties. Shah also has 4121 runs to his name from 123 innings in ODIs at an average of 35.22 with five centuries and 33 fifties. He also has one appearance in T20Is, scoring just three runs.
Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will assume their new responsibilities during Afghanistan’s upcoming five-match ODI series against Ireland, beginning on August 5.