Fri Feb 21 16:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Afghan Veteran Rahmat Shah Makes History in Champions Trophy
**Karachi, Pakistan** – Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah etched his name into the record books during Match 3 of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa. The seasoned batsman achieved a monumental feat, becoming the first Afghan player to reach 2,500 ODI runs in Asia.
Shah reached the milestone with his 27th run against South Africa at Karachi’s National Stadium. The accomplishment highlights his remarkable career, where he’s already Afghanistan’s leading ODI run-scorer overall. In his 78th ODI match played in Asia, he boasts an impressive average of over 34, including three centuries and 21 half-centuries. A significant portion of his Asian run tally—over 800 runs—came in the UAE, where he maintains an average exceeding 33.
His overall ODI record is equally impressive. Shah has now amassed over 3,900 runs across 121 matches, averaging over 35. This includes five centuries and 30 half-centuries, with a highest score of 114. He also leads Afghanistan in scoring at major ICC ODI events like the World Cup and Champions Trophy, with over 600 runs at an average of over 33.
Only Mohammad Nabi comes close among Afghan batsmen, with over 2,000 ODI runs in Asia. Shah’s achievement underscores his consistent performance and solidifies his place as a cricketing legend for Afghanistan.
First Piper 