Rahmat Shah Profile, Afghanistan

Rahmat Shah International Career, Test, ODI and T20 Profile, Stats and Records:

Rahmat Shah is regarded as one of the most brilliant and technically sound batsmen of the Afghanistan cricket squad, who is often called the 'pillar' of the team's batting because his emerging reliable middle-order batting not only provides stability to the innings, but his leg-spin bowling also contributes when needed in Afghanistan's international cricket journey.

Moreover, his playing style combines classic shots and patience, making him an indispensable asset to the team in all formats of international cricket.

However, here is the complete overview of Rahmat Shah's International Career, stats, records, performances, achievements, milestones, and overall contribution to Afghanistan cricket.

Rahmat Shah Test Profile

Rahmat Shah has been a key pillar of Afghanistan's Test batting lineup due to his strong defensive technique and patience, which played a crucial role at every crucial juncture of Afghanistan's 'red-ball' journey and established him as one of the most reliable and historic figures in the Afghan Test team.

Rahmat Shah Test debut

Rahmat Shah's Test debut took place during Afghanistan's historic first Test match on June 14, 2018, against India in Bengaluru, in which he was assigned the responsibility of batting in the middle order. 

Although Rahmat Shah's first test match didn't make a significant impact with the bat and scored only 14 runs in the first innings and 36 runs in the second, he has still emerged as one of his team's most important players in this format.

Rahmat Shah Test Stats and Records

Here are detailed records of Rahmat Shah's Test stats – 

Rahmat Shah Test Runs

If we take a look at Rahmat Shah's Test runs stats, he has amassed 970 runs in his career due to his solid batting technique and remarkable ability to occupy the crease for extended periods, making him his team's most dependable player. 

Although he stands as the country's premier batsman who became the first player from Afghanistan to cross the historic milestone of 500 runs and subsequently a magnificent 900 runs in the challenging format of red-ball cricket.

Rahmat Shah Test Strike Rate and Average

Rahmat Shah's Test average is around 46.19, which shows that he is adept at playing long innings, and his average is considered quite impressive compared to world-class batsmen.

Furthermore, his strike rate of 53.29 shows that he is a batsman who prefers to play the ball on its merit rather than taking risks, and His batting style has maintained an excellent balance between defensive technique and aggressive shot selection.

Rahmat Shah Test Sixes and Fours

Rahmat Shah is recognised as a technically sound and composed batsman in Afghanistan's cricket history, whose stats bear witness to 117 fours and 6 sixes as of now.

Although Rahmat Shah's test sixes figures are low indicate that he relies more on weaving his innings slowly and rotating the strike rather than risky big shots.

Rahmat Shah Test Centuries and Half-Centuries

Rahmat Shah's Test career holds the distinction of scoring the first century for Afghanistan against Bangladesh in Chittagong on September 5, 2019. 

However, Rahmat Shah's Test centuries list includes 3 hundreds and 5 half-centuries that have served as the foundation for the team's victories.

There is also Rahmat Shah's test double century for a massive inning of 234 runs against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, which is a great achievement in his test century list.

Rahmat Shah Test Highest Score

Rahmat Shah's Test career registered 234 runs against Zimbabwe on January 2, 2025, in which he not only demonstrated his stamina but also etched his name in golden letters among the select few players to score a double century for Afghanistan. Thus, this inning is still considered one of the best individual innings in Afghan cricket.

Rahmat Shah's Last Test Match

Rahmat Shah played his final Test match against Zimbabwe on January 2, 2025, at Bulawayo, in which he showed his maturity and played an important role in accelerating the team's scoreboard. 

However, it was in this very historic match that he also completed his maiden double century, propelling Afghanistan into a commanding position.

Rahmat Shah Test Milestones and Achievements 

Rahmat Shah's Test career has some amazing milestones and achievements, such as –

• Part of a Historic Debut: Rahmat Shah Test record shows that he was among the select few players who played historic Afghanistan's first Test match against India in Bengaluru in 2018.
• Country's First Test Century: Rahmat Shah's name was etched as the first batsman to score 102 runs against Bangladesh in 2019 in Test cricket history.
• Fifties in Both Innings of the Same Match: He became the first Afghan cricketer to score half-centuries, i.e., 98 runs in the first innings and 76 runs in the second innings against Ireland in Dehradun.
• Experience and Consistency: Rahmat currently holds the top spot on the list of Afghanistan's highest run-scorers in Test cricket.
• Record-Breaking Partnership: Rahmat Shah's Test recorded a 361-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi for the third wicket against Zimbabwe in December 2024.
• Unique Captaincy Record: Rahmat Shah's Test captaincy holds a unique record in that he remained a captain without ever actually leading the team.

Rahmat Shah ODI Debut

Rahmat Shah's ODI debut took place on March 6, 2013, against Scotland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium under the ICC World Cricket League Championship, where  Rahmat did not ge change to bat and bowl but still he made his presence felt as an excellent fielder, and after this successful start, he went on to emerge as Afghanistan's highest run-scorer and most reliable middle-order batsman in ODI cricket.

Rahmat Shah ODI Stats and Records

Here is a detailed account of Rahmat Shah's ODI stats and records – 

Rahmat Shah ODI Runs

Rahmat Shah's ODI runs are 4034, which has proven him to be Afghanistan's most successful ODI batsman who has not only helped his team win matches but also showcased his deep understanding of the game.

Rahmat Shah ODI Strike Rate and Average

The strength of Afghanistan's batting is clearly reflected in Rahmat Shah's balanced playing skills. As a skilled and experienced batsman, Rahmat Shah's ODI average is 35.38, which is a testament to his consistency at the international level. Hence, he not only can stay at the crease but also knows how to rescue the team under pressure.

Moreover, his strike rate of 71.25 indicates his reliance on technical proficiency and intelligent play rather than risky shots.

Rahmat Shah ODI Sixes and Fours

Rahmat Shah's total sixes in ODIs now stand at 40, a testament to a part of his game where he is not afraid to go aerial when required.

However, Rahmat is a player who prefers to bolster his innings with fours. His 347 fours are a testament to his reliance on groundstrokes and timing. 

Thus, this combination of Rahmat Shah's ODI sixes and fours makes him a complete middle-order batsman.

Rahmat Shah ODI Centuries and Half-Centuries

Rahmat Shah's total ODI centuries are five that is a testament to his impressive batting and ability to score big at the international level. He has not only scored centuries but also displayed a unique ability to adapt his innings to the circumstances. In addition to his impressive centuries, he has also scored 32 half-centuries. 

Although Rahmat Shah's ODI double century has not been recorded yet.

If we look at Rahmat Shah's ODI centuries list includes his crucial innings against various teams like Scotland, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, which contributed to the team’s victory.

Rahmat Shah ODI Highest Score

Rahmat played the best innings of his ODI career on February 9, 2018, against Zimbabwe in Sharjah, in which he devastated the opposition bowlers and scored a mammoth 114 off just 110 balls, which is Rahmat Shah's ODI career-best score.

Rahmat Shah ODI Milestones and Achievements 

Rahmat Shah's ODI career includes several significant accomplishments that showcase his growth as a reliable international cricketer, such as –

• 4,000-Run Milestone: Rahmat Shah's total ODI runs have achieved the distinction of scoring over 4,000 run-mark that stands him among the select group of batsmen from Afghanistan to have crossed this magical figure.
• First Afghan to Score 3,000 Runs: Rahmat became the first Afghan batsman to reach the 3,000-run mark in One Day International cricket against Sri Lanka in November 2022.
• Record for Fastest Milestones: He became the 30th fastest player in the world to reach 3,000 runs in just 82 innings and the 48th fastest batsman in the world to reach 4,000 runs in 119 innings.
• World Cup 2019 Top Scorer: Rahmat Shah amassed 254 runs and became the most successful batsman for his team in the 2019 ICC World Cup played in England. 
• Showed Strength in Bowling: Apart from batting, he took 5 wickets for just 32 runs against the UAE in 2014, which is the best bowling performance of Rahmat Shah's ODI career.
• Backbone of the Middle Order: He has proved himself to be the strongest pillar of the team's middle order who played 125 ODI matches.
• ICC Rankings: Rahmat has been included in the top 40 batsmen in the ICC ODI rankings several times.
• Reliability and Experience: His experience and ability to anchor innings in the middle order make him Afghanistan's most successful anchor batsman, who can lead the team to victory in difficult situations.
• Recent Form: Rahmat scored a total of 106 runs in three matches, including a brilliant 90-run innings in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Rahmat Shah T20I debut

Rahmat Shah's T20 career began against India in Mohali on January 11, 2024, after a nearly 11-year wait and over 100 ODIs. He made his debut in the shortest format at the age of 30, where he came into bat in the middle order and scored 3 runs off 6 balls. He was clean bowled by a straight ball from Indian spinner Axar Patel. Although his first innings was brief, it added him to the list of historic Afghan players who have represented their country in all three international formats of cricket.

Rahmat Shah T20I Stats and Records

Here is a comprehensive overview of Rahmat Shah's T20 stats and records – 

Rahmat Shah T20 Runs

Rahmat Shah's T20 runs stats don't provide much information because he played his debut match against India in Mohali on January 11, 2024, in which he scored just 3 runs.

That means Rahmat Shah's total T20 runs count is currently low, though his record in domestic T20 matches is quite impressive.

Rahmat Shah T20 Strike Rate and Average

An analysis of Rahmat Shah's T20 average of 3.00 reveals that he scored 3 runs in his sole match, and after facing 6 balls in that match, his strike rate was 50.00.

Although he has received limited opportunities to prove himself in this short format, his average and performance in domestic T20 matches are significantly better than this and also clearly demonstrate that he is a versatile player who has yet to make his mark in T20Is.

Rahmat Shah T20 Sixes and Fours

Rahmat Shah's T20 stats reveal that he struck zero fours and sixes in his only innings against India, Mohali 2024.

Rahmat Shah T20 Century and Half-Century

Rahmat Shah's T20 century has not yet been achieved because he has played only one match till now, but his worth has been proven by scoring five half-centuries in domestic T20 leagues.

Hence, there is currently no record regarding Rahmat Shah's fastest century in T20Is.

Rahmat Shah's Highest Score in T20

Rahmat Shah's highest score in T20 internationals currently stands at 3 runs against India in 2024. Although this figure is modest, his performance in domestic matches reflects his true potential.

Rahmat Shah T20I Milestones and Achievements 

Rahmat Shah's T20 career has built notable milestones and achievements, such as –

• Consistency in fielding: His safe fielding, alertness on the boundary and his catching skills make him a useful player in this shorter format as well.
• Best T20I Ranking: Rahmat Shah's T20 career’s best batting ranking is 1051.
• All-round contribution: He is a useful all-rounder who can change the course of a match at any point in the shorter format.

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