Hashmatullah Shahidi Resigns as Afghanistan ODI Captain After Four-and-a-Half-Year Reign
Afghanistan's ODI captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, has resigned from his leadership role with immediate effect on July 22, 2026, citing personal reasons. The 31-year-old led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs, securing 27 victories, including historic wins at the 2023 Cricket World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. Shahidi will continue as a player, with the Afghanistan.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, the esteemed captain of Afghanistan's One-Day International (ODI) team, has announced his resignation from the leadership role with immediate effect. The decision, revealed on July 22, 2026, brings an end to a distinguished four-and-a-half-year tenure during which the 31-year-old batter steered the Afghan national side to unprecedented heights on the international stage.
Shahidi conveyed his decision through a statement on social media, emphasizing its personal nature. 'Today I announce with full respect and consent that I am resigning as captain of my team at my personal decision', Shahidi stated. He further added, 'It was a great honor for me to perform this responsibility as a Captain. I am proud to have served alongside my team with honesty, unity and commitment.' The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is now tasked with appointing a new captain ahead of the team's upcoming five-match ODI series against Ireland, scheduled to commence next month.
Hashmatullah Shahidi's Captaincy: A Period of Remarkable Progress
Shahidi took the reins of the ODI team in early 2022 and has since led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs, securing 27 victories under his leadership. His captaincy coincided with a significant period of growth for Afghan cricket, marked by impressive performances in major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.
Key Achievements as Captain:
- 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (India): Led Afghanistan to historic victories over established cricketing nations including England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. The team narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth, finishing sixth in the standings.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy (Pakistan & UAE): Guided the team to another notable win against England. Their campaign ended without reaching the semi-finals after a crucial match against Australia was washed out.
- Bilateral Series Wins: Secured ODI series victories against teams like Bangladesh (three times), Zimbabwe (twice), South Africa, and Ireland.
Shahidi's final assignment as ODI captain was during the team's recent tour against India in June 2026, where he showcased his batting prowess by scoring his maiden ODI century – a resilient 102 runs off 131 balls – in a match Afghanistan ultimately lost.
Looking Ahead
Despite stepping down from captaincy, Shahidi has confirmed his commitment to continue playing for the national ODI side as a dedicated player. His continued presence will be invaluable for the team, offering experience and stability as Afghanistan prepares for its next chapter under new leadership. The cricketing world awaits the ACB's announcement of Shahidi's successor, with the new captain facing the immediate challenge of leading the team into the Ireland series next month.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2026 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
