Mohammad Nabi may not retire from ODIs after the Champions Trophy as initially planned, expressing aspirations to play alongside his son, Hassan Eisakhil. He is considering his future based on fitness and hopes to mentor younger players through limited appearances. Afghanistan competes in the Champions Trophy after notable previous performances.
Afghan allrounder Mohammad Nabi, previously set to retire from ODIs after the Champions Trophy 2025, may reconsider this decision. At 40, he now expresses a desire to potentially play alongside his son, Hassan Eisakhil, a talented 18-year-old batter. Nabi stated he is still contemplating his future in international cricket, emphasizing fitness as a determining factor in his playing time.
Nabi remarked, “These might not be my last ODIs; I will probably play less ODIs and give chances to the youngsters to build experience”. His son, Eisakhil, who played in the Under-19 World Cup, is encouraged by Nabi to work hard and set ambitious goals for his cricketing career. Nabi believes achieving excellence requires consistent effort beyond just making modest scores.
With Afghanistan placed with formidable opponents in Group B of the Champions Trophy, Nabi remains optimistic. The team aims for a strong showing in the tournament, following their impressive run at the 2023 ODI World Cup and the successful campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.
Nabi’s confidence has been buoyed by his recent success in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he played a key role on the championship team. He mentioned, “Winning the BPL gave me more confidence,” highlighting the impact of his good performances.
Afghanistan also made a squad adjustment for the Champions Trophy, replacing the injured AM Ghazanfar with promising spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who has shown strong abilities in recent matches. Afghanistan’s campaign kicks off against South Africa on February 21, followed by matches against England and Australia on February 26 and 28, respectively.
In summary, Mohammad Nabi’s potential continued participation in ODIs signifies his evolving stance on retirement. He aims to share the field with his son and focuses on cultivating younger talent. With solid preparations and a successful season in the BPL, Afghanistan enters the Champions Trophy with strong aspirations.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
