Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan’s experienced cricket all-rounder, remains optimistic about playing in the 2026 T20 World Cup, expressing no thoughts of retirement.
Nabi, a key figure in Afghanistan’s cricket history since his debut in 2009, has been one of the team’s strong pillars. At 39, he was the oldest player in both the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, he maintains that he has no plans to retire, crediting his fitness to a strict diet.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is set to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. Nabi was the first Afghan player to be drafted into the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has participated in many prominent leagues worldwide. Currently, he is playing for the Dambulla Sixers in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL). Nabi has indicated that he may conclude his ODI career after the Champions Trophy.
“For how long do I want to continue my cricket? As long as my body allows. I am still running fast, fielding at the boundary, taking catches, and bowling well. I aim to keep myself fit for as long as possible,” Nabi told Cricbuzz.
Nabi is a rare player in cricket history, having competed against more than 43 different nations since his debut in 2006. He attributes much of the national cricket team’s success in the recent T20 World Cup to the experience gained from franchise leagues.
“It gives us a lot of experience and we bring that experience to the national team, sharing it with the youngsters,” he told Cricbuzz. “Afghanistan’s T20 performance in the World Cup was really good. We beat big teams in the tournament.”
Afghanistan’s journey in the 2024 T20 World Cup was remarkable, advancing to the semifinals after defeating top countries including Australia and New Zealand.
