Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah has made history as the first cricketer from his nation to break into the top 10 of any category in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings. The 33-year-old reached a career-best seventh position among Test batters following an impressive display in the opening Test of a two-match series against Zimbabwe held in Sharjah.
Rahmat moved up six places in the rankings after scoring 173 runs, which marked his fifth career Test century and his second of the year. This performance saw him overtake several international cricketers, including India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa’s Aiden Markram, and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis.
The latest update also highlighted progress for players from other nations. Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine advanced to 48th place after scoring an unbeaten double-century in the second innings of the Sharjah Test. Additionally, West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican moved into a share of 19th place in the bowling rankings following a strong showing against Bangladesh.
Indian bowlers also saw gains following the opening matches of an ODI series against New Zealand. Axar Patel climbed 23 spots to 21st, while Arshdeep Singh moved up to equal 31st after a four-wicket haul in the series opener. Gurnoor Brar, the series' leading wicket-taker with seven dismissals, jumped into the top 50, reaching 48th position in the ODI bowling rankings.
Key facts
- Rahmat Shah is the first Afghanistan player to enter the top 10 in any ICC Test player category.
- Rahmat scored 173 runs in the Sharjah Test against Zimbabwe, moving to seventh in the batting rankings.
- Afghanistan reached sixth place in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings earlier this month after a successful tri-series.
- Indian pacer Gurnoor Brar moved from outside the top 100 to 48th in the ODI bowling rankings.
- West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican reached 19th place in the Test bowling rankings after a career-best rating.
Why it matters
These ranking updates reflect the growing competitiveness of the Afghanistan national cricket team on the international stage. The team's recent performance in both Test matches and the ODI format, where they achieved their highest-ever ranking of sixth, signals an upward trajectory for the squad in global cricket.
Source: Times of India
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