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.

Rahmat climbs six spots to seventh on the rankings for Test batters following his innings of 173 in the opening match of Afghanistan’s two-game series with Zimbabwe in Sharjah, with the in-form right-hander reaching a new career-high rating in the process.

It was Rahmat’s fifth Test century of his career and second this year and it helped the 33-year-old jump in front of the likes of India captain Shubman Gill, South Africa opener Aiden Markram and Sri Lanka left-hander Kamindu Mendis and earn a spot inside the top 10 for the very first time.

It caps off a good fortnight for Afghanistan, who earlier this month achieved their highest-ever spot on the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings when they rose to sixth on the back of a tri-series triumph over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has warned that continued restrictions on girls’ and women’s education in Afghanistan could deprive the country of an entire generation of skilled professionals, particularly in education, healthcare and other essential sectors.

Hoda Jaberian, UNESCO’s Education in Emergencies Programme Coordinator, said Afghanistan cannot afford to lose another generation of learners, stressing the urgent need to restore access to education for girls and women.

According to a United Nations report published in November, an estimated 2.4 million girls in Afghanistan are currently excluded from secondary education, while no girls enrolled in universities in 2026.

Since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan returned to power in 2021, girls have been barred from attending secondary schools beyond Grade Six. Restrictions were further expanded in December 2022, when women were prohibited from attending universities, followed by a ban on women’s education at medical institutions in December 2024.

Jaberian emphasized that the immediate priority must be reopening schools to girls and allowing women to return to the formal education system, noting that alternative learning opportunities cannot replace regular schooling.

She also called for greater support for teachers, improved educational materials, stronger teaching standards and better data collection and planning to strengthen Afghanistan’s education system.

UNESCO warns that prolonged restrictions could have serious consequences for Afghanistan’s future, limiting the country’s ability to train the teachers, doctors and other qualified professionals needed for national development.

The acting head of Afghanistan’s Embassy in Kuwait, Mohammad Shafiq Khatib, has met with senior Kuwaiti officials to discuss the situation of Afghan nationals held in Kuwaiti prisons.

According to a statement from the Afghan Embassy in Kuwait, Khatib met with Abu Fahad Mansour Fayez Al-Barrak, Deputy Director of Kuwait’s Prisoners Affairs Department, and Ali Abbas, an official responsible for legal affairs.

During the meeting, both sides held constructive discussions on the condition of Afghan prisoners in Kuwait.

The embassy did not provide further details about the specific issues raised or any agreements reached during the meeting.

The meeting comes as part of diplomatic engagement between Afghanistan and Kuwait on matters concerning Afghan nationals and their welfare abroad.