Rahmat Shah enters ICC Test top 10, first Afghan batter to reach 7th
Synopsis
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah's 173-run knock against Zimbabwe has made him the first cricketer from his country to break into the top 10 of the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings — reaching 7th among batters. Combined with Afghanistan's highest-ever ODI team ranking of sixth, it marks the clearest signal yet that this nation has arrived as a genuine Test force.
Key Takeaways
Rahmat Shah became the first Afghan cricketer to enter the ICC Men's Test top 10 , reaching 7th among batters on 11 November 2026 .
His 173-run innings against Zimbabwe in Sharjah lifted him six places and past Shubman Gill , Aiden Markram , and Kamindu Mendis .
The knock was his fifth Test century and second of 2026 .
Afghanistan also moved to their highest-ever ODI team ranking of 6th earlier in November 2026.
West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican reached a career-high, moving to equal 19th in Test bowling after his Player of the Series display against Bangladesh.
India's Gurnoor Brar jumped from outside the top 100 to 48th in ODI bowling, the biggest move in the latest update.
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah has etched his name into cricket history by becoming the first player from his country to break into the top 10 of any category in the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, climbing to seventh among batters after a commanding performance against Zimbabwe in Sharjah. The milestone, confirmed in the latest rankings update on 11 November 2026, underscores Afghanistan's rapid ascent in world cricket.
The knock that made history
Rahmat's historic rise was powered by a 173-run innings in the opening Test of the two-match series against Zimbabwe. The knock earned him a career-best rating and pushed him past several well-regarded names, including India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa's Aiden Markram, and Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis. The 33-year-old climbed six places in a single update — a sharp jump reflecting the significance of his contribution.
A landmark for Afghanistan cricket
This was Rahmat's fifth Test century and his second of 2026. His achievement adds to a string of milestones for a team that has consistently punched above its weight in recent years. Earlier in November 2026, Afghanistan reached their highest-ever position in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, moving to sixth following a tri-series victory involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Together, the two records signal that Afghanistan's growth is no longer confined to white-ball cricket.
Other major movers in Test rankings
Zimbabwe's veteran batter Craig Ervine was another significant gainer, surging nine places to 48th after remaining unbeaten on a double-century in the second innings of the drawn Sharjah Test. The conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship series between Bangladesh and West Indies also reshuffled the batting list. Kavem Hodge of West Indies climbed 12 places to 52nd, while Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy entered the top 60 at 60th. West Indies batter Amir Jangoo made one of the biggest leaps, gaining 28 positions to reach 62nd.
Bowling and all-rounder gains
West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican recorded a career-high rating after his Player of the Series performance against Bangladesh, moving up 11 places to equal 19th in the Test bowling rankings and climbing four spots to 31st among all-rounders. His teammate Justin Greaves advanced one position to share eighth place in the Test all-rounders' list.
ODI rankings shift after India-New Zealand series
The latest update also brought notable movement in the ODI bowling rankings following the opening two matches of the India-New Zealand series. India spinner Axar Patel rose 23 places to 21st after taking 2/28 in the second match in Wellington, while left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh moved up 11 spots to equal 31st following a four-wicket haul in the series opener in Auckland. Pacer Gurnoor Brar, the leading wicket-taker in the series with seven scalps, made one of the most dramatic moves — jumping from outside the top 100 to 48th. New Zealand seamers Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson also improved, rising eight places to 43rd and 24 places to 60th respectively.
With Afghanistan set to play the second Test in Sharjah, Rahmat will be looking to consolidate his historic ranking position — and perhaps push even higher.
Point of View
And have played a fraction of the Tests that established nations have. The convergence of their highest-ever ODI team ranking and now a top-10 Test batter in the same month suggests a programme firing on multiple fronts simultaneously. The more uncomfortable question for established boards is scheduling — Afghanistan still struggle to secure bilateral Test series against top-eight nations, which means talent like Rahmat Shah's is being measured against a compressed opportunity set.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What milestone did Rahmat Shah achieve in the ICC Test rankings?
Rahmat Shah became the first Afghan cricketer to break into the top 10 of any category in the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, reaching 7th among batters on 11 November 2026. He climbed six places following his 173-run innings against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Which players did Rahmat Shah overtake in the ICC Test batting rankings?
Rahmat moved ahead of India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa's Aiden Markram, and Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis in the latest update. His career-best rating now places him among the top seven Test batters in the world.
How significant is this achievement for Afghanistan cricket?
It is a landmark moment for a team that only became a Full ICC Member in 2017. Combined with Afghanistan reaching their highest-ever ODI team ranking of 6th earlier in November 2026, Rahmat's rise reflects a programme competing seriously at the highest level of the game.
Who else moved significantly in the latest ICC rankings update?
West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican reached a career-high, rising 11 places to equal 19th in Test bowling after his Player of the Series performance against Bangladesh. India's Gurnoor Brar made the biggest ODI bowling jump, moving from outside the top 100 to 48th after taking seven wickets in the India-New Zealand series.
What is Rahmat Shah's Test record leading up to this ranking?
The 33-year-old Afghanistan captain now has five Test centuries, including two in 2026. His 173 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah was his most impactful knock in terms of ICC rating points, earning him a career-best score.
