Rahmat Shah named Afghanistan Test and ODI captain, Gurbaz vice-captain
Synopsis
Afghanistan cricket has a new leadership pair: Rahmat Shah takes over as Test and ODI captain, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz as his deputy. The change ends Hashmatullah Shahidi's decorated tenure — one that included a historic sixth-place finish at the 2023 World Cup and a Champions Trophy run. The new duo's first assignment is a five-match ODI series in Ireland in August.
Key Takeaways
Rahmat Shah , 33 , has been named Afghanistan's captain in Test and ODI cricket by the ACB .
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is appointed vice-captain across both formats.
Outgoing captain Hashmatullah Shahidi led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs , winning 27 , since January 2022 .
Shahidi 's tenure included a sixth-place finish at the 2023 ICC World Cup and a first bilateral series win over South Africa .
The new leadership pair will debut during a five-match ODI series in Ireland in August .
Rahmat Shah has been appointed as Afghanistan's new captain in Test and ODI cricket, with wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz named as his vice-captain across both formats, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on 22 July. The reshuffle ends Hashmatullah Shahidi's tenure as skipper after more than three years at the helm.
Leadership Change at the Top
Rahmat Shah, 33, steps into the captaincy after serving as vice-captain in both red-ball and 50-over cricket since May 2021. He replaces Shahidi, who led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs from January 2022, winning 27 of those matches before stepping down from the role.
The ACB paid tribute to the outgoing skipper in its official statement: 'The ACB appreciates Hashmatullah Shahidi's valuable service, dedication, and leadership during his tenure as captain and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.'
Shahidi's Record and Legacy
Under Shahidi's captaincy, Afghanistan produced some of their most significant results in limited-overs cricket. His tenure's defining moment came at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, where Afghanistan finished sixth — their best-ever showing at the tournament — registering memorable victories over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.
That sixth-place finish secured Afghanistan's berth in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they again defeated England. However, a washout against Australia ultimately ended their semi-final hopes. Shahidi's stint also featured a maiden bilateral series victory over South Africa.
ACB's Confidence in New Duo
The board expressed strong confidence in the incoming leadership pair. 'With extensive experience in international cricket, leadership, and the team's overall structure, Rahmat Shah is well positioned to take on this important responsibility,' the ACB said. 'The ACB is confident that his experience, leadership, and understanding of the team will help Afghanistan achieve further significant success.'
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, one of Afghanistan's most dynamic batting talents and an established wicketkeeper, brings energy and flair to the vice-captaincy role across both formats.
Ireland Tour to Mark New Era
The new leadership duo of Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz will officially assume charge during Afghanistan's upcoming tour of Ireland in August, which features a five-match ODI series. The series will serve as the first real test of the new captaincy setup as Afghanistan look to build on the momentum of recent years.
Point of View
A match-winner whose aggressive batting and keeping have made him Afghanistan's most marketable cricketer globally. The real question is whether the new setup can sustain the momentum of the Shahidi era, which punched well above Afghanistan's resources. The Ireland ODI series is a low-stakes entry point, but the bigger tests — ICC events and bilateral series against top-eight nations — will define whether this leadership transition marks genuine progress or simply continuity in a different name.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Afghanistan Test and ODI captain?
Rahmat Shah has been appointed as Afghanistan's new captain in both Test and ODI cricket, as confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board on 22 July. The 33-year-old had previously served as vice-captain since May 2021.
Who is Rahmanullah Gurbaz and what is his new role?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter and one of Afghanistan's most prominent cricketers. He has been named vice-captain across both Test and ODI formats alongside new captain Rahmat Shah.
Why did Hashmatullah Shahidi step down as Afghanistan captain?
Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down from the leadership role after leading Afghanistan in 55 ODIs since January 2022, winning 27 of them. The ACB did not specify a detailed reason, but thanked him for his 'valuable service, dedication, and leadership.'
What were Hashmatullah Shahidi's key achievements as captain?
Shahidi guided Afghanistan to a sixth-place finish at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, with wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. His tenure also included Afghanistan's debut at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and a maiden bilateral series victory over South Africa.
When will Rahmat Shah officially take charge as Afghanistan captain?
Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will officially assume their new leadership roles during Afghanistan's tour of Ireland in August, which features a five-match ODI series.
