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Former Afghanistan captain and a veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is all set to hang his boots from the 50-over format of the game after the completion of the ICC Champions Trophy. The decision of Nabi’s ODI retirement was communicated by the Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Naseeb Khan on Friday, November 8 after the batter spoke on the same after the conclusion of the first ODI against Bangladesh.
Notably, the tournament is marking its return after being last played in 2017 in England. The 2025 edition is set to be played in Pakistan in February-March 2025. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted the tentative schedule of the tournament to the International Cricket Council (ICC), it is set to be announced in a week’s time.
Nabi to retire from ODIs after ICC Champions Trophy
Speaking with Cricbuzz on Friday, November 8, Naseeb Khan confirmed the development on the Afghan veteran’s future in the game. "Yes, Nabi is retiring from ODIs after the Champions Trophy and he informed the board about his desire," Naseeb told Cricbuzz. "He told me few months back that he wants to end his ODI career after the Champions Trophy and we welcome his decision. After the Champions Trophy, what I understand is that, he is expected to continue his T20 career, and that is the plan until now," he added.
It is to be noted that the 39-year-old retired from Test cricket in 2019, featuring in only three games for Afghanistan. However, he has been a crucial member of the side in the shortest as well as 50-over format, having played 165 ODIs and 129 T20Is thus far. The right-handed batter has aggregated 3549 runs in his ODI career at an average of 27.30, including two hundreds and 17 fifty-plus scores. Moreover, he has also taken 171 wickets in ODIs, with four five-wicket hauls and a five-fer to his name.
The 39-year-old is currently featuring in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh and played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s 92-run win in the first ODI, played on November 6 at the Sharjah Cricket Ground in Sharjah. While he played a 79-ball 84 in Afghanistan’s innings of 235 runs, he also got a wicket to his name in his 4.2 overs spell, while conceding 23 runs.
