Mohammad Nabi: Afghanistan All-Rounder and Veteran of the Rise

Mohammad Nabi is one of the founding figures of modern Afghan cricket. An off-spinning all-rounder, he has been a regular in the national team since the side’s early years on the international stage, and has been a role model for a generation of players.

Early life and rise

Nabi was born in 1985 and, like many Afghan players of his generation, learned much of his cricket in the refugee communities in Pakistan, where the game spread among Afghan families. He made his international debut for Afghanistan in 2009, when the team was climbing quickly through the associate ranks.

He was a member of the squad that qualified for the 2015 ODI World Cup, the first time Afghanistan appeared in the tournament, and he captained the side for several years in the early part of the decade.

Playing style

As a bowler, Nabi relies on accuracy and flight, using his off-spin to control the middle overs. As a batter, he is a powerful lower-order hitter who can change the course of an innings with a few overs of aggression. In the field he is an experienced and reliable presence.

Career highlights

Nabi played in the first Test match in Afghanistan’s history, in 2018 against India, and was part of the side during its first years in the longest format. Afghanistan also qualified for the T20 World Cups and the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, and Nabi was involved in each of these campaigns.

In T20 leagues around the world, he has been a sought-after player. He has played in the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians, and in competitions in other countries. Those experiences have allowed him to bring knowledge back to the Afghanistan dressing room.

As of the end of 2024 he had played well over a hundred ODIs and T20 internationals for his country, and is among Afghanistan’s leading run-scorers and wicket-takers in those formats.

Legacy

Nabi’s importance lies partly in the numbers and partly in his role as a link between the first generation of Afghan cricketers and the younger stars who followed, including Rashid Khan. He is regarded as a symbol of Afghanistan’s remarkable rise in international cricket, from the lower divisions of the associate game to regular participation in global tournaments.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mohammad Nabi’s role in the Afghanistan team?

He is an all-rounder who bowls right-arm off-spin and bats in the middle or lower order.

Did Mohammad Nabi play in Afghanistan’s first World Cup?

Yes, he was in the squad for the 2015 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan’s first appearance in the tournament.

Which IPL teams has Mohammad Nabi played for?

He has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians.