Rahmat Shah scripts history as first Afghan player in top 10 of Test batting rankings

Afghanistan’s Test and ODI captain Rahmat Shah has etched his name in the history books, becoming the first batter from his country to enter the top ten in any category of the ICC Test rankings. Rahmat Shah has climbed seven spots to be seventh in the latest update of the Test batting rankings, released by the ICC on Wednesday, November 11.

The right-handed batter scored 173 in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Sharjah. It was the fifth Test century for the veteran batter and the second this year.

It helped him jump ahead of India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa opener Aiden Markram and Sri Lanka left-hander Kamindu Mendis and break into the top ten for the very first time.

Earlier, Afghanistan also achieved their highest rank in the ODI team rankings. They climbed to sixth spot, surpassing Sri Lanka to secure their highest-ever position.

West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican also achieved his career-best ratings in the Test bowling rankings as he rose 11 spots to equal 19^th. He was adjudged Player of the Series in his team’s 1-0 victory in the two-match series against Bangladesh. The left-arm spinner scalped 16 wickets across two matches at an average of 16.50 with best figures of 5/53.

Warrican also gained four places to improve to 31st on the list for Test all-rounders. Meanwhile, in ODI bowling rankings, the Indian trio of Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar have made gains.

Indian bowlers make gains

Patel has climbed 23 places to 21st following his impressive figures of 2/28 in the second match against New Zealand in Wellington. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has also moved up 11 spots to share 31st place after claiming four wickets in the series opener in Auckland.

Gurnoor Brar, who has emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series so far, with seven wickets to his name, has moved from outside the top 100 to inside the top 50, to 48th in the ODI bowling rankings.