Afghanistan’s Batting Maestro Rewrites Record Books
In a stunning display of technical mastery, Rahmat Shah cemented his legacy as Afghanistan’s premier Test batter by scoring a monumental 234 runs against Zimbabwe during their December 2024 Test series. This career-best performance not only propelled Afghanistan to victory but also shattered multiple national records in the five-day format.
The Innings That Changed History
The right-handed maestro faced 763 deliveries across two innings in Bulawayo, displaying remarkable endurance and shot selection. His first-innings 234 stood as the highest individual Test score by an Afghan batter for exactly four days – until teammate Hashmatullah Shahidi surpassed it with 246 in the same match.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Previous Test Best | 139 vs Bangladesh (2019) |
| Series Contribution | 392 runs at 130.66 average |
| Career Test Average | 46.19 after 11 matches |
Champions Trophy Warm-Up Success
Fresh from his Test heroics, Shah carried his form into ODIs during Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy preparations. During February’s warm-up against Pakistan Shaheens in Lahore:
- Scored crucial 43 runs under pressure
- Completed 2,500 ODI runs in Asia – first Afghan to achieve this
- Took spectacular catch against South Africa that went viral
“Rahmat’s ability to switch formats seamlessly makes him our most valuable player,” said head coach Jonathan Trott after the Zimbabwe series.
The Road Ahead
With Afghanistan qualifying for multiple ICC events in 2025-26 cycle:
- Shah remains central to Test and ODI strategies
- T20 World Cup selection rumors circulating
- Potential leadership role discussions resurfacing
