In a stunning display of technical mastery, Afghan cricketer Rahmat Shah has rewritten history books with back-to-back career-defining performances that solidified his position as one of Asia’s most formidable Test batters.
The Record-Breaking Knock
During Afghanistan’s December 2024 Test series against Zimbabwe, the 31-year-old right-handed batsman scored a monumental 234 runs – the highest individual score by an Afghan player in Test cricket at that time. This landmark innings spanned 416 deliveries and included 28 boundaries, showcasing Shah’s trademark patience and shot selection.
“Rahmat’s ability to convert starts into big scores separates him from contemporaries,” said former Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott in post-match analysis.
Consistent Match-Winning Form
Shah’s purple patch continued into 2025 with crucial contributions:
- 139 runs vs Zimbabwe (January 2025 Test)
- 43 runs vs Pakistan Shaheens (February 2025 ODI)
- 35+ batting average across last 15 international matches
Technical Mastery Earns Recognition
Cricket analysts highlight Shah’s unique value proposition:
| Strengths | Stats |
|---|---|
| Test batting average | 46.19 (3rd highest among active Afghans) |
| ODI conversion rate | 35% of 50+ scores become centuries |
| T20 strike rate | 117.32 in domestic leagues |
The Paktia-born all-rounder now holds three distinctive records:
- First Afghan Test centurion (2019 vs Bangladesh)
- Highest Test partnership holder (318 runs with Hashmatullah Shahidi)
- Only player with 3,800+ ODI runs and 15+ wickets for Afghanistan
The Road Ahead
With Afghanistan qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy, all eyes will be on Shah during crucial matches against South Africa and New Zealand this March. His recent sensational catch against SA went viral, proving his all-round fielding capabilities.
Cricket historians note Shah’s career trajectory mirrors Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket – from associate nation status to defeating six Test-playing nations since 2018. As World Test Championship matches approach, this technical maestro remains central to Afghanistan’s red-ball ambitions.
