Following the resignation of Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Wednesday appointed experienced batsman Rahmat Shah as the new Test and One Day International (ODI) captain of the national team.

The board also appointed wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz as vice-captain in both formats. Rahmat and Gurbaz will officially begin their new roles during Afghanistan’s upcoming ODI series against Ireland.

ended with Shahidi’s resignation During his successful four-year tenure, Afghanistan achieved some of the biggest milestones in its cricket history.

According to the ACB, Shahidi was appointed captain on May 31, 2021 and began his tenure with an ODI series win over the Netherlands in January 2022. Under his leadership, Afghanistan won 27 out of 55 ODI matches played.

The defining moment of Shahidi’s captaincy came at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Afghanistan produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, defeating England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands to finish sixth in the standings, their best World Cup campaign to date.

The World Cup performance also ensured Afghanistan’s qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Making their debut in the tournament, Afghanistan defeated England and finished fifth overall, underscoring the team’s rapid progress on the international stage.

Shahidi led Afghanistan to its highest ever ranking of seventh in the ICC men’s ODI team rankings during his tenure.

Rahmat Shah took over after serving as Afghanistan’s vice-captain in both Tests and ODIs from May 31, 2021, when Shahidi was appointed captain. One of the country’s most experienced batsmen, Rahmat has been a key member of Afghanistan’s middle order across all formats and is now taking on a leadership role ahead of the busy international calendar.

Along with Rahmat, Gurbaz has been given the vice-captaincy in both the formats. The aggressive top-order batsman has established himself as one of Afghanistan’s leading white-ball players and will support the new captain as the team enters a new phase.

Afghanistan’s first assignment under the new leadership group will be a five-match ODI series against Ireland, to be played from August 5 to 15.

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