Hashmatullah Shahidi Quits Afghanistan Captaincy Before 2027 World Cup, Who Could Replace Him?

Hashmatullah Shahidi [Source: X.com]

Afghanistan's experienced batter Hashmatullah Shahidi has resigned as the captain of the national ODI team on July 22, Wednesday.

Notably, Shahidi took over the ODI captaincy in January 2022 and guided Afghanistan in 55 ODIs. During this regime, Afghanistan registered 27 wins and suffered 25 defeats.

Moreover, he led the side in major ICC events, including 2023 Asia Cup, 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Hashmatullah Shahidi Steps Down As ODI Captain

It is important to note that Hashmatullah Shahidi announced his decision through a heartfelt post on Instagram. Notably, his final match as ODI captain was against India in June 2026. 

While announcing his resignation, the 31-year-old left-handed batter expressed his gratitude and pride in leading the national team. He wrote, 

 “Today I announce with full respect and consent that I am resigning as captain of my team at my personal decision. “It was a great honour for me to perform this responsibility as a Captain. I am proud to have served alongside my team with honesty, unity and commitment.”

Although he has stepped down from the leadership role, Shahidi confirmed that he will continue playing for Afghanistan in ODIs.

Memorable Achievements Under Hashmatullah Shahidi

Under Shahidi's leadership, Afghanistan produced several memorable performances on the international stage. 

Most importantly, the Afghans defeated strong opponents such as England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands during 2023 ODI World Cup in India. 

As a result, Afghanistan narrowly missed a place in the semi-finals but finished sixth in the standings. Consequently, they secured direct qualification for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Furthermore, Afghanistan continued their impressive form in bilateral ODI series. Notably, they defeated Bangladesh 3 times, Zimbabwe 2 times and also recorded wins against South Africa and Ireland.

Apart from his leadership, Hashmatullah Shahidi remained a dependable batter for Afghanistan. 

Interestingly, his batting numbers as captain were quite similar to those before he took over the role. Before becoming captain, he averaged 32.97 in ODIs with a strike rate of 64.39. 

Meanwhile, as captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi's average improved slightly to 33.79, while his strike rate increased to 70.77, according to Cricinfo.

Also Read: Shapoor Zadran's Demise Forces Afghanistan To Postpone Major Tournament

Who Will Be Afghanistan's Next ODI Captain for 2027 World Cup?

Following Shahidi's resignation, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has started looking for a new ODI captain. Notably, the new captain will be given a run atleast until 2027 World Cup which will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Although ACB board is yet to make an official announcement, ODI vice-captain Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran have emerged as the leading contenders for the role. 

Notably, Ibrahim is already leading Afghanistan's T20I side after taking over from Rashid Khan. Meanwhile, another name in the discussion is wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz. While he has never captained the Afghanistan national side, Gurbaz recently led Mis Ainak Knights in the 2026 Shpageeza Cricket League. 

Under his leadership, the team finished third on the points table after registering four wins and three losses.

The ACB is expected to appoint the new captain before Afghanistan's upcoming five-match ODI series against Ireland, which begins next month.

Also Read: India’s Record In Zimbabwe In T20Is Before India Tour Of Zimbabwe 2026