Hashmatullah Shahidi to captain Afghanistan in India Test and ODIs
Synopsis
Afghanistan have dropped Rashid Khan for the one-off Test against India — a significant selection call — while naming him in the ODI squad. With Shahidi leading both formats and a spin-heavy red-ball unit, the ACB is making a calculated gamble ahead of one of its most prestigious bilateral tours.
Key Takeaways
Hashmatullah Shahidi will captain Afghanistan in both the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series against India.
Rashid Khan has been left out of the Test squad but retains his place in the ODI side .
The Test match is scheduled from 6 to 10 June at New Chandigarh .
ODIs will be played in Dharamsala ( 13 June ), Lucknow ( 17 June ), and Chennai ( 20 June ).
Both squads are 15-man selections with three reserves each, announced by the ACB on 26 May .
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan in both the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series against India, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announcing two separate 15-man squads on Monday, 26 May for the upcoming multi-format tour. The series marks one of Afghanistan's most high-profile bilateral assignments against a top-ranked Test nation.
Key Selections and Squad Composition
The ODI squad is built around Afghanistan's most experienced white-ball operators. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are expected to open the batting, with Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, and Darwish Rasooli providing middle-order stability. All-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai add balance to the side.
The bowling attack is anchored by Rashid Khan, supported by young spinner AM Ghazanfar and seamers Bilal Sami, Fareed Malik, and Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi. Nangyal Kharotai also earns a place, while Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, and Bashir Ahmad have been named as reserves.
Test Squad: Rashid Khan Left Out
The red-ball squad sees notable changes. Rashid Khan has been omitted from the Test side, with Afghanistan opting for a spin-heavy combination featuring Qais Ahmad, Nangyal Kharotai, and Sharafudin Ashraf. Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Zadran, and Sharafudin Ashraf come into the Test squad, while Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz retain their places. Ikram Alikhil and Afsar Zazai have been named as the two wicketkeeping options.
Full Squad Lists
Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami. Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad.
Afghanistan Test squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi. Reserves: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam.
Schedule: Venues and Dates
The tour opens with the one-off Test at New Chandigarh from 6 to 10 June. The three-match ODI series follows, with matches scheduled in Dharamsala (13 June), Lucknow (17 June), and Chennai (20 June). All eyes will be on whether Afghanistan's spin-heavy Test setup can trouble India on home soil without Rashid Khan in the mix.
Point of View
And it cuts both ways. Afghanistan's red-ball attack without their best bowler is a significant downgrade, yet the move signals the ACB's intent to develop a deeper Test-specific pool rather than relying on one match-winner across all formats. The spin-heavy replacement combination of Qais Ahmad, Nangyal Kharotai, and Sharafudin Ashraf will face an India batting line-up on home pitches — a formidable examination. If Afghanistan can compete without Rashid in Tests, it would represent genuine cricketing growth; if they capitulate, the selection logic will face sharp scrutiny.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain Afghanistan in the India series?
Hashmatullah Shahidi will captain Afghanistan in both the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series against India. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed his appointment when announcing the squads on 26 May.
Is Rashid Khan in Afghanistan's squad for the India tour?
Rashid Khan has been included in the ODI squad but left out of the Test squad. Afghanistan have opted for spinners Qais Ahmad, Nangyal Kharotai, and Sharafudin Ashraf in the red-ball side instead.
When and where will Afghanistan play India in the Test match?
The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan is scheduled from 6 to 10 June at New Chandigarh. It is the first fixture of the multi-format tour.
What are the ODI series venues and dates?
The three ODIs will be played in Dharamsala on 13 June, Lucknow on 17 June, and Chennai on 20 June. Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan across all three matches.
Who are the wicketkeepers in Afghanistan's Test squad?
Ikram Alikhil and Afsar Zazai have both been named as wicketkeeping options in the Afghanistan Test squad. In the ODI side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil are the two keepers listed.
