Menu

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi-Australia
Mohammad Nabi-Australia Image: Wikimedia Commons. K Popal / CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil (Pashto: محمد نبي عیسی خېل; born 1 January 1985) is an Afghan cricketer and former captain of the Afghanistan national cricket team. An attacking batting all-rounder, he is a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler. Nabi has been a central figure in Afghanistan's emergence as a recognised cricketing nation, featuring in many of the team's milestone matches across all three international formats.

Key Facts

Full name Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil
Born 1 January 1985
Nationality Afghan
Batting Right-handed
Bowling Right-arm off-break
Role All-rounder
National side Afghanistan (former captain)
ODI debut April 2009
T20I debut 1 February 2010, vs Ireland
Test debut June 2018

Background

Nabi rose through Afghan cricket during a period when the country was establishing itself in the international game. He played a major role in Afghanistan's rise to the top level of international cricket, becoming one of the most experienced and recognisable players from the country.

International Career

One Day Internationals

Nabi was part of Afghanistan's first ever One Day International, played in April 2009. He later captained the side at the 2014 Asia Cup and the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan's first appearance at the global ODI tournament.

Twenty20 Internationals

He featured in Afghanistan's inaugural T20I against Ireland on 1 February 2010, and was issued the fifth cap for Afghanistan in T20Is. He was also part of Afghanistan's squad at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, the country's first appearance at a T20 World Cup.

Test cricket

Nabi played in Afghanistan's inaugural Test match in June 2018. In September 2019, he retired from Test cricket, stating that he wished to prolong his limited-overs career.

Franchise Cricket

Nabi has appeared in numerous Twenty20 franchise tournaments around the world. He was the first player from Afghanistan to be selected in the Indian Premier League player auction.

Administrative Role

In August 2020, Nabi was inducted as a member of the Afghanistan Cricket Board.

Significance

Nabi's career mirrors Afghanistan's transition from an Associate cricketing nation to a Full Member of the International Cricket Council. As of June 2024, he holds the distinction of having been part of Afghanistan teams that have defeated 45 different nations in international cricket. His all-round contributions across formats have made him one of the most influential figures in Afghan cricket history.

References