When it comes to Afghan cricket, names like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi often steal the spotlight. But there’s another star quietly crafting his legacy — Hashmatullah Shahidi, the dependable left-handed batsman who has become the backbone of Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Born on November 4, 1994, in Logar, Afghanistan, Shahidi’s cricket journey is one of determination, grit, and discipline. Known for his calm demeanor and unflappable temperament, he’s not the flashy hitter you’d expect in modern cricket — instead, he’s the kind of player who builds an innings brick by brick, often anchoring Afghanistan through challenging phases.
Let’s take a closer look at Hashmatullah Shahidi’s career stats, his style of play, and what makes him such a vital asset to Afghan cricket.
Hashmatullah Shahidi: Quick Bio
Personal Information | Details |
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Full Name | Hashmatullah Shahidi |
Date of Birth | November 4, 1994 |
Age | 30 years (as of 2025) |
Birthplace | Logar, Afghanistan |
Role | Batsman |
Batting Style | Left-Handed Bat |
Bowling Style | Right-arm offbreak |
Shahidi’s rise in Afghan cricket has been inspiring. From his early days playing local matches in Logar to representing his country on the world stage, he’s consistently shown what hard work and patience can achieve.
Batting Career: A Symbol of Consistency
Test Career Highlights
In the longer format, Hashmatullah Shahidi has proven himself as a reliable middle-order batsman who thrives under pressure. His stats speak volumes:
Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s/50s | Strike Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 10 | 19 | 757 | 246 | 50.47 | 2/2 | 47.44 |
That 246-run marathon remains one of Afghanistan’s most memorable Test innings. It wasn’t just about the runs — it was about patience, technique, and the mental toughness to bat long hours against world-class bowlers.
He’s one of the few Afghan players to score two double centuries in Test cricket, showing just how valuable he is when it comes to building innings rather than just playing cameos.
ODI Career Highlights
In the One Day format, Shahidi continues to be the steady anchor Afghanistan needs. His calm, methodical approach allows big hitters around him to play freely.
Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 50s/100s | Strike Rate |
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ODI | 90 | 88 | 2435 | 97 | 33.36 | 22/0 | 67.38 |
While he’s yet to notch up a century in ODIs, 22 half-centuries show how consistent he’s been at providing a solid platform. His ability to hold one end and guide Afghanistan through middle overs makes him a vital cog in the batting order.
T20I Career Highlights
Though T20s aren’t exactly Shahidi’s playground, he’s made his presence felt when given the opportunity.
Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T20I | 6 | 4 | 48 | 36 | 24 | 87.28 |
Shahidi’s role in T20s is often to stabilize innings after early wickets — not the flashiest role, but an important one nonetheless.
Bowling Career: Occasional Off-Spin Option
Although primarily a batsman, Shahidi occasionally rolls his arm over with his right-arm offbreaks. He’s not a frontline bowler, but he has chipped in when the team needed variety.
Format | Matches | Balls Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate | Best Bowling |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 10 | 84 | 59 | 0 | 4.21 | 0/4 |
ODI | 90 | 18 | 25 | 0 | 8.33 | 0/8 |
T20I | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -/- |
His focus remains squarely on batting, but his occasional spells offer a handy change of pace and variety for the captain.
Career Milestones
Shahidi has represented Afghanistan across formats since his teenage years, debuting when the team was still carving out its identity in international cricket.
Format | Debut Match | Last Match (as of 2025) |
---|---|---|
T20I | vs Kenya – Sept 30, 2013 (Sharjah Cricket Stadium) | vs Ireland – Aug 11, 2022 (Civil Service Cricket Club) |
ODI | vs Kenya – Oct 2, 2013 (Sharjah Cricket Stadium) | vs Australia – Feb 28, 2025 (Gaddafi Stadium) |
From those early Kenya matches to competing against cricketing giants like Australia, Shahidi has come a long way. His calm leadership and tactical maturity have also earned him stints as Afghanistan’s captain in ODIs and Tests, further proving his value as both a player and a leader.
What Makes Hashmatullah Shahidi Stand Out?
Here’s what separates Shahidi from many of his peers:
1. Unshakeable Temperament
No matter the situation, Shahidi rarely shows frustration. His ability to remain composed under pressure makes him an invaluable player in tight games.
2. Patience and Technique
Unlike aggressive stroke players, Shahidi’s strength lies in building an innings. His textbook technique and calm approach are reminiscent of old-school Test cricketers.
3. Leadership Qualities
Having captained Afghanistan across formats, Shahidi has shown tactical acumen and the ability to inspire younger players.
4. Commitment to the Team
He often sacrifices personal milestones for the team’s success — whether it’s holding the fort during collapses or rotating strike to let hitters go big.
Memorable Moments in His Career
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Double Century Against Zimbabwe (Test 2021): A defining innings that made headlines globally. Shahidi became the first Afghan to score a Test double hundred.
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Captaincy Era: His calm, composed leadership style helped Afghanistan stabilize after a period of transition.
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World Cup Contributions: In ODI tournaments, Shahidi has often been Afghanistan’s reliable middle-order mainstay, guiding the team to competitive totals.
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Key Takeaways from His Career
If there’s one thing young cricketers can learn from Hashmatullah Shahidi, it’s the power of consistency. You don’t always have to hit big sixes to make an impact. Sometimes, it’s about staying patient, building partnerships, and playing smart cricket.
His career reflects:
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The value of discipline over flair
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The importance of adaptability across formats
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The influence of calm leadership in high-pressure environments
Legacy and Future Ahead
At just 30, Shahidi still has plenty of cricket left in him. As Afghanistan continues to rise as a cricketing nation, his experience and stability will remain crucial. Whether he’s anchoring innings or guiding younger teammates, Shahidi’s presence is a steadying force for the team.
Fans hope to see him finally cross that elusive century mark in ODIs, but even without it, his contribution to Afghan cricket is already monumental.
Final Thoughts
Hashmatullah Shahidi may not be the loudest player on the field, but his quiet determination speaks louder than words. His journey from Logar’s dusty pitches to international cricket is proof that discipline, patience, and belief can take you far.
As Afghanistan continues to make waves in world cricket, one thing’s certain — players like Shahidi form the heartbeat of their success story.