Rahmat Shah Makes History as First Afghan in ICC Test Top 10
Afghanistan captain secures seventh place in Test rankings following a stellar century against Zimbabwe.
1Historic Ranking Milestone
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah has become the first cricketer from his nation to enter the top 10 of any ICC Men’s Player Rankings category. The 33-year-old reached seventh place in the Test batting rankings after his impressive 173-run performance during the opening Test match against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
2Surpassing Global Stars
This career-high rating allowed Rahmat to climb six positions, effectively moving ahead of established international batters. Among those he surpassed are India captain Shubman Gill, South African opener Aiden Markram, and Sri Lankan talent Kamindu Mendis. This achievement marks his fifth career Test century and his second this year.
3Broader Afghan Success
Rahmat’s individual success coincides with a broader upward trajectory for Afghanistan cricket on the global stage. Earlier this month, the national team achieved its highest-ever position of sixth in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, following a successful tri-series campaign against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the recent international window.
4Zimbabwean Performance Gains
While Rahmat dominated the headlines, veteran Zimbabwean batter Craig Ervine also saw significant movement in the Test rankings. Following his unbeaten double-century in the second innings of the drawn Sharjah Test, Ervine climbed nine places to reach 48th, reflecting the competitive nature of the series between the two nations.
5West Indies and Bangladesh
The conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship series between Bangladesh and the West Indies triggered several ranking shifts. Kavem Hodge moved up 12 places to 52nd, while Towhid Hridoy surged from outside the top 100 to 60th. Additionally, Amir Jangoo advanced 28 places to reach 62nd in the standings.
6Bowling and All-Rounder Shifts
West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican achieved a career-high rating, rising 11 places to equal 19th in the Test bowling rankings after a Player of the Series performance. His teammate Justin Greaves also improved, moving up one place to equal eighth in the Test all-rounders’ rankings after a highly consistent series.
7Indian Bowlers' ODI Surge
In the ODI format, Indian bowlers made substantial gains during the series against New Zealand. Axar Patel climbed 23 places to 21st, while Arshdeep Singh moved up 11 places to 31st. Notably, Gurnoor Brar jumped from outside the top 100 to 48th after becoming the series' leading wicket-taker with seven scalps.
8New Zealand Ranking Adjustments
The ongoing India-New Zealand series also impacted the hosts' standings in the ODI bowling rankings. New Zealand seamers Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson both improved their positions, climbing to 43rd and 60th respectively. These shifts highlight the volatility of player rankings during active international series across different cricket formats.
Original article: The Hindu – Cricket — Rahmat Shah Makes History as First Afghan in ICC Test Top 10