Rahmat Shah to Lead Afghanistan Against Ireland
Rahmat Shah will begin his tenure as Afghanistan’s ODI captain during a five-match series against Ireland in August. Afghanistan have announced a 15-member squad for the tour, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz appointed vice-captain.
Rahmat Shah Begins Captaincy Tenure
Rahmat was recently appointed Afghanistan’s captain in both Test and ODI cricket following Hashmatullah Shahidi’s decision to step down from the leadership roles.
The Ireland series will be Rahmat’s first assignment since taking charge. The experienced middle-order batter has been a central figure in Afghanistan’s ODI team and played several important innings during the country’s rise in international cricket.
Wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz will serve as his deputy. Hashmatullah remains in the squad and is expected to continue as a senior member of the batting unit.
Farooqi and Ahmadzai Return
Fast bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Yamin Ahmadzai have returned to strengthen Afghanistan’s pace attack. Farooqi last appeared in an ODI during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, while Ahmadzai has not represented Afghanistan in the format since 2022.
Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal are among the established players included in the squad. Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will miss the series because of an injury.
Afghanistan-Ireland ODI Series Schedule
The five-match series will begin in Bready on August 5, with the second ODI scheduled at the same venue on August 7.
The remaining three matches will be played at Stormont on August 10, 12 and 15. The series will provide Afghanistan with an opportunity to assess their squad and leadership structure under Rahmat.
Afghanistan squad: Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Nangyal Kharotai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Saleem Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
