Rahmat Shah Surpasses 2,500 ODI Runs in Asia during Champions Trophy

KARACHI, Pakistan — Afghanistan‘s Rahmat Shah reached a significant milestone on February 21, 2025, by surpassing 2,500 One Day International (ODI) runs in Asia during the third match of the Champions Trophy against South Africa at the National Stadium.

In what was a challenging encounter for Afghanistan, Shah’s achievement came with a critical 27th run, making him the first player from Afghanistan to reach this mark in ODI history. The decorated batsman is widely recognized as Afghanistan’s top run-scorer in ODIs.

Throughout his ODI career, which spans 78 matches, Shah has maintained an impressive average of over 34, including three centuries and 21 half-centuries. His performance in the UAE has particularly stood out, with over 800 runs scored at an average exceeding 33. Notably, Mohammad Nabi is the only other Afghanistan player with more than 2,000 runs in the Asian region.

After his latest innings against South Africa, Shah boasts a total of 3,900 runs from 121 games, averaging more than 35. His career figures now include five centuries and 30 half-centuries, with his highest score recorded at 114. Moreover, he leads Afghanistan’s run-scoring in major ICC ODI events, accumulated through the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.

The match itself saw South Africa dominate, posting a formidable total of 315/6, largely thanks to Ryan Rickelton, who scored 103 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen also contributed with scores exceeding 50. In response, Afghanistan struggled to chase the target, collapsing to 208 runs.

Kagiso Rabada played a pivotal role for South Africa, claiming three wickets and helping to reduce the Afghan side to 50/4 early in the innings. Although Shah fought valiantly, scoring 90 runs, Afghanistan’s batting lineup fell short.

This match not only highlighted Shah’s remarkable capabilities but also underscored the competitive nature of international cricket, particularly as teams vie for dominance in high-stakes tournaments like the Champions Trophy.