Mohammad Nabi, one of cricket’s leading all-rounders, has become the first Afghan player to reach the milestone of 300 international matches.
The 39-year-old, who has been a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s cricket journey, achieved this feat on Wednesday during the first match of a T20 series against Zimbabwe.
Nabi celebrated the occasion with a notable performance, scoring 44 runs off 27 deliveries, including five fours and one six. Reflecting on his achievement, Nabi said in a video released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), “I am happy that I have played 300 international matches for my country. I am proud of it.”
During the same innings, Nabi reached another milestone by completing 150 fours in T20I cricket, further solidifying his status as one of Afghanistan’s most accomplished players.
A pivotal figure in Afghanistan’s cricket
Nabi’s international career began in April 2009 when he debuted in an ODI against Scotland. Since then, he has featured in 167 ODIs, amassing 3,600 runs at an average of 27.48 and claiming 172 wickets at an average of 32.47.
His T20I career began in February 2010 against Ireland. Over 130 matches, Nabi has scored 2,209 runs at an average of 22.54 and taken 97 wickets with an economy of 7.33. In Test cricket, where Afghanistan debuted in 2018, Nabi has played three matches, scoring 33 runs and taking eight wickets.
Nabi’s contributions have earned him recognition beyond Afghanistan, where fans often refer to him as the “President” of international cricket.
Afghanistan is set to face Zimbabwe in the second match of the T20 series on Friday, with Nabi continuing to play a vital role in the team’s pursuit of international success. His career exemplifies the remarkable rise of Afghanistan cricket, and his milestone underscores his enduring importance to the sport in his nation.
