Karachi, February 18, 2025: Veteran Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has reconsidered his ODI retirement plans, expressing a desire to continue playing beyond the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which kicks off tomorrow.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had earlier announced that Nabi would bid farewell to the 50-over format after the tournament. However, in a recent interview with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the 39-year-old revealed his ambition to represent Afghanistan alongside his 18-year-old son, Hassan Eisakhil.
Eisakhil, an opener, featured in Afghanistan’s squad for the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, though he struggled with the bat, managing just 43 runs in four matches. Despite this, Nabi is keen to share the field with him at the senior level.
“These might not be my last ODIs,” Nabi said. “I will probably play fewer matches, giving youngsters more opportunities, but in high-level games, we’ll see. It depends on my fitness.”
On the possibility of playing alongside his son, Nabi said: “It’s my dream, and hopefully, we can make it happen. He’s a hard worker, and I push him to improve every day. I want him to set his own goals and understand that scoring 50 or 60 isn’t enough—he needs to aim for centuries. He listens, works hard, and always seeks advice from me.”
Nabi has been instrumental in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey, having played in the country’s first-ever ODI in 2009, where he marked his debut with a half-century against Scotland.
ACB Chairman Naseeb Khan hailed Nabi’s impact on Afghan cricket, saying: “Mohammad Nabi is a living legend. From the days when cricket was barely recognized in Afghanistan to now, with the team among the world’s top eight, no one has contributed more to our growth.”
He added: “Retirement is entirely Nabi’s decision. But considering his exceptional performances in batting, bowling, and fielding—along with his remarkable fitness—age is truly just a number.”
Afghanistan will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa in Karachi on February 21, followed by matches against England and Australia in Lahore on February 26 and 28, respectively.
As Nabi gears up for what was initially set to be his final ODI tournament, cricket fans may yet witness history in the making—a father-son duo playing together for Afghanistan on the international stage.
