Rahmat Shah becomes first Afghanistan cricketer to break into ICC Test top 10

Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah has become the first player from his country to enter the top 10 of any category in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings after a career-best performance against Zimbabwe.

The 33-year-old right-hander climbed six places to seventh in the Test batting rankings following his innings of 173 in the opening match of Afghanistan’s two-Test series in Sharjah. He reached a personal-best rating of 735 points in the latest update released on 11 November 2026.

It was Rahmat’s fifth Test century and his second of the year. The knock lifted him above India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa opener Aiden Markram and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, marking the first time an Afghanistan player has featured in the top 10 of the Test batting, bowling or all-rounder lists.

The high-scoring contest ended in a draw. Zimbabwe posted 504 and 523 for 5, while Afghanistan replied with 514. Rahmat’s marathon effort, which came off 347 balls and included 14 fours and three sixes, helped his side secure a slender first-innings lead.

The achievement comes during a strong period for Afghanistan cricket. Earlier this month the team rose to a record sixth place in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings after winning a tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Several other players also gained from the Sharjah Test. Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine moved up nine places to 48th after an unbeaten 206 in the second innings, while Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal climbed 14 places to 81st following a century of his own.

Rahmat’s historic rise underlines Afghanistan’s continued progress since gaining Test status, with the captain now established among the world’s leading red-ball batters.