Mohammad Nabi Cancels Retirement Plans, Wants To Play ODIs For Afghanistan With Son Eisakhil

Legendary Afghanistan cricketer Mohammad Nabi, who had previously announced his retirement from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, has made a surprising U-turn on his decision. The 40-year-old all-rounder, who has accumulated 3618 runs and taken 172 wickets in 170 ODIs, will continue representing Afghanistan in the 50-over format beyond the tournament. Nabi, who has been a cornerstone of Afghanistan's cricketing rise, spoke to the ICC ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, expressing his desire to keep playing for his country, especially alongside his son, Hassan Eisakhil.

Hassan, an 18-year-old rising star, has already shown his potential in the Afghanistan U-19 team, having represented them in the 2024 U-19 World Cup. With 426 runs from 16 T20 matches under his belt, the young opener is quickly making a name for himself in the Afghan cricketing circles. Nabi, who has been instrumental in Afghanistan's cricket journey, shared his dream of playing alongside his son at the highest level. "It’s my dream to play together for the country, and hopefully, we can do it," he said, highlighting his son’s commitment and hard work. Nabi also emphasized the importance of setting ambitious goals for young players like Hassan. "If you want to be a high-level cricketer, you have to work hard. It’s not enough to make 50 or 60 runs; you need to push for hundreds," Nabi remarked, underscoring the importance of discipline and dedication in achieving success at the international level.

Nabi’s ODI career began in 2009 against Scotland, and his last match before the Champions Trophy was against Zimbabwe in December 2024. He will take the field again on February 21, 2025, when Afghanistan plays its first-ever Champions Trophy match against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi. While Nabi’s decision to continue playing ODIs is a boost for Afghanistan’s cricketing ambitions, he remains focused on giving younger players the chance to shine. "I will probably play fewer ODIs to give chances to the youngsters to build their experience," Nabi said, acknowledging the importance of nurturing the next generation of Afghan cricketers. His leadership and continued presence in the team will no doubt be invaluable as Afghanistan takes on the world's best in the Champions Trophy.