Rahmat Shah, Afghanistan’s newly-appointed Test and ODI skipper, is not new to the leadership role. Rahmat was Afghanistan's vice-captain in Tests and ODIs since 2021 and taking this leadership mantle was expected to be the next step up for him. During an exclusive chat with Cricketlineguruji, Rahmat shared his philosophy as captain along with other goals.

Excerpts:

How are you feeling after being appointed as Afghanistan's Test and ODI captain?

Rahmat: I am delighted and honoured to be appointed captain of Afghanistan’s ODI and Test teams. I would like to thank the Afghanistan Cricket Board for placing its trust in me and giving me this important responsibility. Inshallah, I will do my very best to lead the team successfully and win matches for Afghanistan.

What will be your biggest challenge as a captain in the two formats?

Rahmat: The biggest challenge will be leading the team to perform consistently in Test cricket and helping Afghanistan become one of the top eight teams in the world. Achieving this will not be easy and will require considerable hard work, careful planning, and long-term commitment. We must also place greater emphasis on strengthening our domestic red-ball cricket.

In white-ball cricket, we are already in a relatively strong position and have previously been ranked seventh and eighth. However, our ambition is to continue improving and establish ourselves among the top five teams in the world.

With the World Cup less than a year away, do you feel you have the time as a captain to prepare for the mega tournament?

Rahmat: Yes, I believe one year provides us with sufficient time to prepare. Our players are already actively involved in competitive cricket and remain in good touch. During our home series, one of our main priorities will be to prepare pitches similar to those in South Africa so that the team can become better accustomed to the conditions expected at the World Cup.

Will you experiment in the Ireland series to test out different combinations?

Rahmat: We will aim to field our strongest possible team, as we already have a good and balanced combination of players. Ireland is a strong side, particularly in their home conditions, and they have consistently challenged visiting teams. Therefore, we will approach the series seriously while also assessing the combinations that can best serve the team in future competitions.

You have been in the leadership role for quite some time. How has it helped you mature? What is your philosophy as a captain?

Rahmat: My previous leadership experience has certainly helped me develop and become a more mature individual associated with the role. I have had the privilege of playing under experienced captains such as Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, and Rashid Khan. I also gained valuable experience while serving as vice-captain to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Now that the Afghanistan Cricket Board has placed its trust in me, I will do my utmost to perform well in this new role. I hope my decisions and leadership can contribute positively to the team’s success.

My philosophy as captain is to give players the freedom and confidence to express themselves and play their natural game according to the conditions. As we prepare for the World Cup, we must develop the ability to set competitive targets and successfully chase large totals. In ICC tournaments, pitches are often batting-friendly, with quick outfields and relatively short boundaries. Therefore, we must develop the mindset and ability to regularly score more than 300 runs in ODI cricket. I believe this can only be achieved when players are given confidence, responsibility, and the freedom to perform to their full potential.

In Tests, do you feel it is time to look beyond Rashid Khan since his back issues are not allowing him to take the workload of the longer format?

Rahmat: Rashid Khan has made a significant contribution to Afghanistan’s success in Test cricket, including our victories against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. However, due to his back condition, doctors have advised him to rest from Test cricket and avoid the heavier workload associated with the longer format. His health and long-term career remain the priority. We hope he recovers fully and returns to Test cricket as soon as possible. At the same time, we must continue developing other players and strengthening our squad so that the team is prepared for every situation.