Rohmat Shah Takes Helm of Afghanistan’s Test and One-Day Sides

Kabul, 22 July – Veteran opener Rohmat Shah has been handed the captaincy of Afghanistan’s Test and ODI teams, as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) seeks to build on recent successes.

Shah replaces Hashmatullah Shahidi, who resigned after two years at the top. In a parallel move, wicket‑keeper‑batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz was named vice‑captain for both formats.

The ACB statement emphasized Shah’s “extensive international exposure and strategic insight,” noting that his leadership is expected to elevate the side’s performance on the global stage. Shah, 33, has amassed 1,043 Test runs with three centuries and over 4,100 ODI runs, including five centuries.

Shahidi’s era saw Afghanistan finish sixth in the 2023 World Cup and claim its first bilateral series triumph over South Africa. The new captaincy will officially begin during the five‑match ODI series against Ireland in August.