Afghanistan’s legendary player, Mohammad Nabi, stated on Friday that he hopes to represent his country in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host.
In the present Lanka Premier League, the 39-year-old veteran is guiding Dambulla Sixers. If chosen by the national selectors, he appears committed to continuing his national team duties for the next two years.
“Do you want me to retire?” Following the suspension of their practice on Friday due to inclement weather, Nabi questioned a reporter at Premadasa Stadium about his plan for his international cricket career.
For what length of time do I wish to play cricket? My body continues to function while I run quickly. I’m bowling good and fielding in the boundary well, grabbing catches. Despite everything, I’m doing well and I’m working to stay in shape for as long as I can,” he remarked.
“At this point, the Afghanistan team still needs me, but it may Champions Trophy is going to be my final Champions Trophy in the 50-over format. After that, maybe a year, and that’s it,” he stated, expressing his desire to complete his career with the ICC T20 World Cup.
“I hope so, in terms of participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He said, “I will have to play if I am selected.
Having been a member of the Afghanistan national team since 2009, Nabi, who is regarded as the father figure in the team, continued by saying he is conscious of his advancing years and makes an effort to stay in shape by following a strict diet.
“At forty years old, I’m not a young man. It all depends on what you eat and how you consume it, but I still do my best to work out hard and recuperate as soon as I can. How you eat healthfully since it improves your fitness’, the veteran stated.
Nabi continued, saying he is pleased with Afghanistan’s World Cup performance since all players gave their all for the team, which ultimately helped them secure their first-ever berth in the World Cup semi-final. He also feels that competing in other franchise leagues helped Afghanistan become a formidable force.
The reason (franchise cricket) matters so much is that we participate in most global leagues and the majority of Afghan players play in the Premier League (PLL),” Nabi stated.
“It gives us lot of experience and also brings that experience in the national team and we share it with the youngsters,” he explained.
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“The Afghan T20 team performed incredibly well in the World Cup. We won the event against strong teams. Yes, that was a huge accomplishment in my cricket career to make it to the semi-finals and the tough four for the first time. Hopefully, there will be more to come. We played and performed well as a team at the World Cup, and everyone made a significant contribution,” he said.
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