Rahmat Shah, Afghanistan’s veteran and dependable middle-order batter, has been ruled out of the third and final One-Day International against Bangladesh and the ensuing Test against Zimbabwe due to a leg injury, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) stated on Tuesday, October 14.
Rahmat has been out of international cricket for several weeks after injuring his left calf muscles while batting in the second One-Day International against Bangladesh on Saturday, October 11, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, according to a board statement.
According to team physio, the right-handed hitter has suffered a high-grade calf rupture that will necessitate a lengthy rehabilitation period of several weeks. ACB’s medical department is engaging with abroad professionals to guarantee he receives the best possible care and rehabilitation.
Afghanistan’s final ODI against Bangladesh will take place on Tuesday at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. The Blue Tigers had already won the series, defeating Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s side decisively in the first two matches.
Rahmat Shah blasted two boundaries during his 70-ball 50 in the opening ODI.
His effort was critical in Afghanistan’s successful pursuit of a 222-run mark in 47.1 overs with five wickets remaining. In the second ODI, he was forced to retire hurt after scoring nine runs off twelve balls. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team dismissed Bangladesh for 109, setting a target of 191 runs.
Ikram Alikhil, a wicketkeeper and batsman, has replaced Rahmat in the playing XI. In the meantime, Bashir Ahmad has been replaced by Bilal Sami. Alikhil is playing his first One-Day International since December 2024, against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.
Rahmat has played 125 One-Day Internationals and 11 Tests for Afghanistan. The 32-year-old has 970 and 4035 runs in the two forms.
After the third ODI against Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s one-off Test match against Zimbabwe will begin on Monday, October 20, in Harare.
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