Hashmatullah Shahidi resigns as Afghanistan ODI captain after 55 matches
Synopsis
Hashmatullah Shahidi's exit closes the most successful chapter in Afghanistan's ODI history — 27 wins in 55 matches, a World Cup near-miss, and a Champions Trophy debut. He scored his only ODI century in his final game as captain, against India in Chennai, making his farewell as poignant as it was unexpected.
Key Takeaways
Hashmatullah Shahidi resigned as Afghanistan's ODI captain on 22 July with immediate effect.
He led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs since January 2022 , winning 27 of them.
His tenure included landmark wins over England , Pakistan , and Sri Lanka at the 2023 ODI World Cup , where Afghanistan finished sixth .
Afghanistan also defeated England at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy under his leadership.
Shahidi scored his only ODI century — 102 off 131 balls — in his final match as captain against India in Chennai .
The ACB is expected to name a new captain before the five-match ODI series against Ireland in August .
Hashmatullah Shahidi stepped down as captain of Afghanistan's ODI team with immediate effect on 22 July, ending a tenure that spanned 55 matches and one of the most transformative periods in Afghan one-day cricket. The top-order batter had held the role since January 2022, with his exit coming weeks after a 3-0 series defeat to India.
Shahidi's Resignation Statement
Shahidi announced the decision through his Instagram account, writing: 'After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as captain of our team. It has been a great honour to lead this team. I sincerely thank the management, coaches, my teammates, and our supporters for their trust and support throughout this journey.'
He added: 'Although I am resigning as captain, I remain fully committed to serving the team as a player and wish the new captain and the team continued success.' The tone was measured — a voluntary exit rather than a sacking, though it follows Afghanistan's worst recent ODI result.
A Landmark Era for Afghan ODI Cricket
Under Shahidi's leadership, Afghanistan compiled a record of 27 wins from 55 ODIs — a win rate that reflects genuine competitive growth for a side that only gained Full Member status in 2017. The centrepiece of his captaincy was the 2023 ICC Men's ODI World Cup in India, where Afghanistan defeated England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, finishing sixth and coming agonisingly close to a maiden semi-final berth.
That sixth-place finish directly earned Afghanistan a place in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they again defeated England before a crucial wash-out against Australia halted their semi-final push. Bilateral series wins over Bangladesh (three times), Zimbabwe (twice), South Africa, and Ireland further underlined the consistency built during his tenure.
A Century in His Final Game
Shahidi's individual contribution across 96 international appearances included one ODI century — and it arrived in his last match as captain. He struck a patient 102 off 131 balls against India in Chennai, a knock that carried personal significance even as Afghanistan fell to a series whitewash. The timing makes it one of the more bittersweet farewell innings in recent ODI history.
What Comes Next for Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is expected to announce a successor ahead of Afghanistan's upcoming five-match ODI series against Ireland in August. The tour will serve as an early test for whoever inherits the captaincy. Afghanistan's pipeline of match-winners — including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Ibrahim Zadran — gives the board credible options, though the leadership transition will need to be handled carefully ahead of a packed international calendar.
Point of View
But the timing — immediately after a 3-0 whitewash to India — tells its own story. The more important question is whether the ACB uses this transition to accelerate a younger leadership core or defaults to a senior-by-seniority appointment. Afghanistan's ODI rise was built on fearless cricket; the next captain must protect that identity, not just manage it. The Ireland tour in August is a low-stakes window to bed in new leadership — the ACB should use it deliberately.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Hashmatullah Shahidi resign as Afghanistan's ODI captain?
Shahidi stepped down with immediate effect on 22 July, citing personal reflection in his Instagram post. His resignation followed a 3-0 ODI series defeat to India, though he did not explicitly cite the result as the reason.
How many ODIs did Shahidi captain Afghanistan in?
Shahidi led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs from January 2022, winning 27 of those matches. It is one of the most successful captaincy runs in Afghanistan's ODI history.
What were the highlights of Shahidi's captaincy?
The standout moments were Afghanistan's famous victories over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands at the 2023 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, where they finished sixth. He also led them to a win over England at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, as well as bilateral series wins over Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Ireland.
Who will be the next Afghanistan ODI captain?
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has not yet named a successor. An announcement is expected before Afghanistan's five-match ODI series against Ireland in August 2025.
What did Shahidi score in his last match as captain?
Shahidi scored 102 off 131 balls against India in Chennai — his only ODI century across 96 international appearances — in what turned out to be his final game as captain.
