Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi announced on Wednesday that he would be stepping down as ODI captain effective immediately. The 31-year-old batsman’s Instagram announcement marked the end of a key chapter in Afghan cricket history. Shahidi led the team in 55 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) since taking over in January 2022; his final game was against India in June 2026.
Throughout his four and a half-year tenure, the left-hander oversaw Afghanistan’s participation in three major events. He captained the team in the 2025 Champions Trophy, the 2023 World Cup, and the 2023 Asia Cup. Afghanistan won 27 out of the 55 games he captained.
The team finished sixth in the 2023 World Cup and missed the semi-finals, but they won memorable games against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. Afghanistan defeated England at the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai, but their semi-final match against Australia was postponed due to rain. The captain has resigned after careful personal consideration. It has been a tremendous honour to lead this team.
I am grateful to the management, coaches, my teammates, and our supporters for their trust and support throughout this journey. Although I am quitting as captain, I am still fully committed to serving the team as a player, and I wish the next captain and squad ongoing success,” Shahidi stated on Instagram.
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At this moment, why did Shahidi resign?
Shahidi’s public statement did not specify the exact reasons for his departure. He confirmed that he will continue to be available as a player for upcoming ODIs, leaving the door open for future squad participation.
What is in store for Afghanistan’s captaincy?
Afghanistan will play five one-day internationals in Ireland in August. This is expected to be the team’s first ODI campaign with a new captain. Before the tour begins, Shahidi’s replacement must be selected and declared by the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The dates of the games have been set for August 5-14, 2026.
