Overview
- Hashmatullah Shahidi announced his immediate resignation as Afghanistan's ODI captain Wednesday via Instagram, calling it a personal decision and saying he will remain available for selection as a player.
- The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed on the same day that experienced batter Rahmat Shah will captain both the Test and ODI sides and that wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz will serve as vice-captain.
- Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz will begin their roles in Afghanistan's five-match ODI series in Ireland, scheduled to run from August 5 to 15, making the tour the new leadership's first assignment.
- Shahidi led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs with 27 victories over four-and-a-half years, overseeing landmark wins at the 2023 World Cup and participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy and raising the team's international profile.
- The ACB's swift appointment settles earlier uncertainty about succession and leaves selectors with immediate choices on captaincy, team balance and selection ahead of a World Cup cycle next year.