The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially appointed experienced middle-order batter Rahmat Shah Zurmati as the new captain of Afghanistan’s Test and ODI teams. The decision comes after Hashmatullah Shahidi resigned from his leadership role after more than four years in charge.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been named vice-captain across both formats. Rahmat’s first assignment as captain will be Afghanistan’s upcoming ODI series against Ireland. This appointment marks a pivotal transition as Afghanistan prepares for its next cycle of international fixtures.
Why Rahmat Shah Was Chosen
Rahmat Shah brings a wealth of top-level experience to Afghanistan’s leadership structure. Having made his international debut in 2013, the 33-year-old batter has represented Afghanistan in 128 ODIs and 12 Tests.
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Statistic / Role | Details |
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Appointing Body | Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) |
| Official Appointment | 22 July 2026 |
| Formats Led | Test and One-Day International (ODI) |
| Vice-Captain | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Career Stats | 12 Tests, 128 ODIs (Debut: 2013) |
| Previous Role | Vice-captain under Hashmatullah Shahidi (2021)|
+----------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
The ACB selected Rahmat because he has served as the national team’s vice-captain since 2021. His dependable batting in the middle order and calm temperament have earned him widespread respect inside the dressing room. The board noted that his deep understanding of squad dynamics made him the natural choice to succeed Shahidi.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Legacy
Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down as captain following a highly successful tenure that began in May 2021. Under his leadership, Afghanistan secured 27 victories in 55 ODIs, establishing itself as a formidable force in white-ball cricket.
Major milestones under Shahidi’s captaincy include:
- 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup: Historic wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, leading to a 6th-place finish.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy: Debut appearance in the tournament, highlighted by a victory over England to finish 5th overall.
- Bilateral Series Wins: Five consecutive ODI series triumphs between 2024 and 2025, including a historic maiden series win against South Africa.
The ACB publicly praised Shahidi for his dedication, leadership, and landmark achievements that elevated Afghanistan’s status on the world stage.
Challenges Await the New Captain
Leading Afghanistan brings high expectations as the national team continues its rapid development as a Full Member nation. Rahmat Shah faces several immediate structural and competitive challenges:
- Navigating the Ireland Series: Establishing team tactical rhythms during his debut series against Ireland.
- Building Test Consistency: Improving Afghanistan’s Test match record following a difficult recent stretch in long-format cricket.
- Maintaining ODI Rankings: Staying inside the top 10 of the ICC ODI Team Rankings to ensure direct qualification for upcoming global tournaments.
- Squad Integration: Balancing the experience of established international stars with the development of emerging young talent.
What This Means for Afghan Cricket
Appointing Rahmat Shah offers vital stability to Afghanistan’s 50-over and red-ball setups. Because Rahmat served as vice-captain throughout Shahidi’s tenure, the leadership transition will be seamless.
This appointment also completes a split-captaincy structure for Afghanistan. With Ibrahim Zadran captaining the T20I squad and Rahmat leading the Test and ODI teams, each format receives focused strategic direction. Having dynamic opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz as vice-captain introduces a modern, aggressive leadership dynamic alongside Rahmat’s measured approach.
Reaction from the Cricket World
Official statements confirmed mutual respect between the outgoing captain, the incoming leadership, and the cricket board.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board released an official statement on the appointment:
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board appreciates Hashmatullah Shahidi’s valuable service, dedication, and leadership during his tenure as captain and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours. The Board also wishes Rahmat Shah Zurmati every success in his new role and looks forward to working with him towards achieving the team’s objectives.”
Hashmatullah Shahidi shared his thoughts upon stepping down:
“Captaining my country has been one of the greatest honours of my career. I am proud of what we achieved together as a team and wish Rahmat Shah and the team all the best moving forward.”
Looking Ahead
Afghanistan’s immediate focus turns to their scheduled five-match ODI series against Ireland. This series provides Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz with their first official opportunity to manage tactics and team selections as a captaincy duo.
Senior players such as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi will remain crucial pillars in supporting the new captain. With clear goals set for the World Test Championship and ICC ODI qualification cycles, Rahmat’s leadership will dictate Afghanistan’s tactical progression over the coming years.
Conclusion
Rahmat Shah’s appointment as Afghanistan’s Test and ODI captain marks the beginning of a promising new chapter for the national team. His extensive international experience, steady temperament, and established leadership role as vice-captain provide a firm foundation for Afghan cricket. As Afghanistan aims to build upon its historic successes under Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah’s guidance will be vital in driving the country forward in global cricket.
References & Credits
- Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB): Official Media Release: Rahmat Shah Zurmati Appointed Afghanistan’s New Test and ODI Captain (July 22, 2026).
- International Cricket Council (ICC): New Era Begins as Afghanistan Appoint ODI, Test Captain (July 22, 2026).
- Reuters: Afghanistan Name Rahmat Shah as Test and ODI Captain Following Shahidi Resignation (July 22, 2026).
- ESPNcricinfo: Shahidi Steps Down as Afghanistan ODI and Test Captain; Rahmat Shah Takes Over (July 22, 2026).
- Cricbuzz: Rahmat Shah Named New Captain of Afghanistan Test and ODI Squads (July 22, 2026).
