KABUL, Afghanistan — Mohammad Nabi, one of Afghanistan’s cricket legends, plans to retire from One-Day Internationals after the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, which will be held in Pakistan.
Nabi, 39, has been an integral part of Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket, making his ODI debut in 2009 with a half-century against Scotland during the nation’s first official match.
Nabi has not only contributed significantly in the ODI format but was also part of Afghanistan’s first teams in Test and T20 Internationals. He captained the national side from 2013 to 2015 but stepped down following a period of poor form. Despite relinquishing the captaincy, Nabi continued to be a crucial player for Afghanistan, showcasing his skills with both bat and ball across three ODI World Cups.
Naseeb Khan, the chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), confirmed Nabi’s decision to retire. “Yes, Nabi is retiring from ODIs after the Champions Trophy, and he informed the board of his decision,” Khan told Cricbuzz. “He mentioned a few months ago that he wanted to end his ODI career after the tournament, and we respect and welcome his decision. From what I understand, Nabi intends to continue playing T20 cricket, which remains part of his plan.”
A distinguished career
In his 165 ODI matches to date, Nabi has scored 3,549 runs, which includes two centuries and 17 half-centuries. His contributions with the ball have been equally impressive, with 171 wickets, including one five-wicket haul. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s victory over Bangladesh, scoring 82 runs to help set a competitive target. His performance was backed by a decisive six-wicket haul from Allah Ghazanfar, and Nabi himself took the crucial wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, a turning point in the match.
Nabi previously retired from Test cricket in 2019, focusing on limited-overs formats where he continued to influence matches with his all-around performance.
The upcoming Champions Trophy marks the end of an era for Afghanistan’s cricket team, with Nabi’s legacy cemented as one of its foundational figures who helped propel the nation onto the global stage.
