Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah has created history by becoming the first player from his country to enter the top 10 in any category of the ICC Men's Test Player Rankings, following the latest update released by the International Cricket Council.
The right-hander climbs six spots to seventh on the rankings for Test batters, reaching a new career-high rating after scoring an innings of 173 in the opening match of Afghanistan's two-game series against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
The achievement marks the fifth Test century of Rahmat's career and his second this calendar year, helping the 33-year-old jump ahead of India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa opener Aiden Markram and Sri Lanka left-hander Kamindu Mendis.
The milestone caps off a strong period for Afghanistan cricket, following the team's rise earlier this month to sixth on the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings on the back of a tri-series triumph over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe veteran Craig Ervine also made significant ground on the Test batting list, jumping up nine spots to 48th following his unbeaten double-century in the second innings of the Sharjah encounter.
The conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship series between Bangladesh and the West Indies resulted in upward movement for several other batters, including Kavem Hodge rising 12 places to 52nd.
Towhid Hridoy climbed from outside the top 100 into 60th position, while Amir Jangoo moved up 28 rungs to 62nd on the list for Test batters.
In the bowling rankings, West Indies player Jomel Warrican achieved a new career-high rating by rising 11 spots to equal 19th following his Player of the Series performance against Bangladesh.
Warrican also gained four places to improve to 31st on the list for Test all-rounders, while teammate Justin Greaves climbed one place to move to equal eighth in the same category.
Changes were also recorded on the ODI rankings following the opening two matches of the series between New Zealand and India, with India spinner Axar Patel rising 23 spots to 21st among ODI bowlers after taking 2-28 in Wellington.
India left-arm pace bowler Arshdeep Singh gained 11 slots to move to equal 31st following a four-wicket haul in the series opener in Auckland.
India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar advanced from outside the top 100 to 48th on the list for ODI bowlers as the leading wicket-taker in the series so far with seven scalps.
New Zealand seamers also advanced, with Jacob Duffy moving up eight slots to equal 43rd and Kyle Jamieson climbing 24 rungs to 60th on the ODI bowling list.
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