Experienced batter has taken over as captain from Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the vice-captain ahead of the Ireland series.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named Rahmat Shah as the new captain of the national team in Test and ODI cricket, after Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down from the position.
The announcement comes after yesterday’s resignation of Shahidi as ODI captain, who led the Afghanistan team to a successful tenure where they have developed a competitive side in international cricket.
Rahmat Shah takes charge
Rahmat Shah’s choice is a new beginning in Afghanistan cricket, as the veteran top-order batsman will lead the team in Test and ODI cricket.
Rahmat, the vice-captain of the team since 2021, was considered a logical successor to Shahidi, as he is a regular member of the national team and has proven his leadership abilities.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has said that Rahmat has the faith and confidence to take the team to the next level in its international journey.
Reward for consistent performances
Rahmat is one of the most consistent batsman in Test and ODI cricket in Afghanistan.
He has emerged as the leading run scorer in the country in both formats, and has been one of the backbone of Afghanistan’s batting line-up in the years.
It was his calmness, experience and leadership that led to his appointment as captain.
Gurbaz named vice-captain
In addition to Rahmat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been also been included in the new vice-captain list of both Test and ODI teams.
The young batsman has proved himself to be one of the most promising white ball cricketers in Afghanistan and will be a key figure in the leadership of the team in the future to prepare for ICC tournaments.
The appointment is part of the board’s focus on the “old and the new.
Building on Shahidi’s legacy
The change follows a successful period under Hashmatullah Shahidi, who guided Afghanistan to some memorable moments, such as impressive displays at the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
In the hands of Shahidi, Afghanistan has achieved unprecedented victories against the world’s top teams, and made its debut appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time in 2025.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board congratulated Shahidi for his dedication and efforts and wished him good luck in his future endeavors as a player for the national team.
Focus shifts to Ireland series
Rahmat Shah’s debut as captain will be in the five-match ODI series against Ireland next week, where he will captain Afghanistan for the first time.
The series will provide an early taste of the new leadership team to get them ready for the challenges ahead on the international stage, particularly ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027.
With Rahmat Shah at the helm, Afghanistan will be seeking to carry on their momentum in world cricket with a promising leadership change, a talented side and an experienced captain.
