Hashmatullah Shahidi steps down as Afghanistan's ODI captain
Kabul, July 22
Afghanistan batter Hashmatullah Shahidi has stepped down as captain of the national ODI team, ending a leadership stint that began in early 2022, according to ICC.
The 31-year-old announced his decision through a post on social media, bringing to a close a tenure during which he led Afghanistan at two major ICC tournaments, the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Under Shahidi's captaincy, Afghanistan registered some of their most notable achievements in ODI cricket. At the 2023 World Cup in India, the side secured memorable victories over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, narrowly missing out on a place in the knockout stage after an impressive campaign.
Shahidi also captained Afghanistan at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, continuing to lead the side in international cricket during a period of steady progress, according to ICC.
The left-handed batter did not specify the reason behind his decision while announcing his resignation on social media.
"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 honor for me to perform this responsibility as a Captain. I am proud to have served alongside my team with honesty, unity and commitment. By the grace of Allah, with the efforts of the officials, coaches and players, we have achieved many victories, won important matches, defeated big teams and made the name of the team higher," Shahidi said, as quoted by ICC.
"All these achievements are not just mine, but also the result of the teamwork, sacrifices and coordination of the entire team. I thank all the players of my team from the bottom of my heart who always supported me and stood shoulder to shoulder with me in every victory and every challenge."
"I also thank the officials and the administration of the team who believed in me and always supported me. Your trust and cooperation will always be an honor for me," he said as quoted by ICC.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is yet to announce Shahidi's successor as ODI captain.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Shahidi was an underrated leader. Look at what he achieved with limited resources—beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka at a World Cup is no joke. I hope the next captain can build on his work. Afghanistan cricket is on the rise!
Solid leader. His calm demeanor on the field reminds me of Dhoni. But I wonder if there's internal pressure? ACB needs to sort out their admin. Shahidi deserved more support from the board. Sad to see him go.
Shahidi's resignation is a big loss for Afghanistan. He brought stability to the team. From an Indian fan's perspective, it was great to see them compete so well in our backyard. Hope he continues to play for years.
Hats off to Hashmatullah! He led from the front, even though his personal form dipped a bit. But those wins in 2023 WC were unforgettable—especially against Pakistan. Afghanistan cricket has a bright future under new leadership. Btw, why no mention of the Champions Trophy performance? 🤔
Shahidi's captaincy was a masterclass in handling pressure. Taking down England in 2023 was not luck, it was sheer planning. The man has my respect. I just wish he had more clear communication about why he stepped down. Nonetheless, a great servant of the game.
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