Hashmatullah Shahidi Steps Down as Afghanistan’s ODI Captain
- Hashmatullah Shahidi resigns as Afghanistan’s ODI captain with immediate effect.
- Led Afghanistan to historic wins over England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the 2023 World Cup.
- Guided the team to the 2025 Champions Trophy and multiple bilateral series victories.
- Afghanistan Cricket Board to announce a new ODI captain soon.
Hashmatullah Shahidi has stepped down as Afghanistan’s One Day International (ODI) captain with immediate effect, bringing an end to a leadership tenure that included some of the country’s most memorable achievements in 50-over cricket.
Shahidi captained Afghanistan in 55 ODIs from January 2022 until the team’s most recent assignment against India in June 2026. During his tenure, he led the side in the 2023 Asia Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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Under his leadership, Afghanistan registered 27 ODI victories and produced several landmark performances. The team stunned England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands during the 2023 World Cup, finishing sixth in the standings to secure qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Afghanistan continued its progress at the Champions Trophy, recording another memorable victory over England. However, the team’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals ended after its crucial match against Australia was abandoned.
Shahidi also oversaw a successful period in bilateral cricket, guiding Afghanistan to ODI series victories against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ireland.
With the bat, Shahidi maintained consistent performances despite the added responsibility of captaincy. His batting average improved from 32.97 to 33.79, while his strike rate rose from 64.39 to 70.77 during his time as skipper.
The left-handed batter also registered his maiden ODI century in Afghanistan’s latest ODI against India in Chennai, scoring an impressive 102 off 131 deliveries—his only hundred in 96 ODI appearances.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is expected to announce Shahidi’s successor as ODI captain in the coming days.
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