Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is one of the most influential figures in Afghanistan’s cricketing history. A hard-hitting right-handed batter and a wily left-arm spinner, Nabi has been central to Afghanistan’s rise from associate status to a full member nation. 

He featured in Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI in 2009, their first T20I in 2010, and their inaugural Test in 2018, making him a bridge between Afghanistan’s past and present in international cricket. A former national captain, Nabi is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders Afghanistan has ever produced.

Nicknamed “The President” for his composed leadership and influence on and off the field, he has built a reputation as one of Afghanistan’s most dependable all-rounders.

Mohammad Nabi’s Early Life and Background

Mohammad Nabi was born on 1 January 1985 in Logar Province, Afghanistan, into an industrial family. His childhood was shaped by the Soviet-Afghan War, which forced his family to relocate to Peshawar, Pakistan, in the mid-1990s. It was there, at the age of 10, that Nabi first picked up a cricket bat and began playing street cricket.

His early training came at Arshad Khan’s cricket academy in Peshawar, where his talent as both a batter and a spinner began to develop. In 2000, his family returned to Afghanistan, where he joined a small group of budding cricketers that included Mohammad Shahzad, Asghar Afghan, and Shapoor Zadran — players who would later become pillars of Afghan cricket.

Mohammad Nabi’s Domestic and Franchise Career

Nabi’s domestic and franchise career spans nearly every major T20 league in the world, making him one of Afghanistan’s most globally recognised cricketers. 

Mohammad Nabi’s cricketing journey began to gather momentum in 2006 after a remarkable performance against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in Mumbai. Representing Afghanistan, he struck a stunning 44-ball century that included 13 sixes, with several hits reportedly clearing the ground and reaching the nearby railway tracks. 

Former England captain Mike Gatting, watching that match, was deeply impressed by the young all-rounder’s power and maturity, and subsequently helped him secure a place in the MCC Young Cricketers programme in London — a crucial step in shaping his professional career.

From that breakthrough onward, Nabi evolved into one of the most widely travelled cricketers in the modern game, featuring for more than 15 franchises across the world’s leading T20 leagues.

Mohammad Nabi’s International Career

Mohammad Nabi has been a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s international journey from associate cricket to the elite level.

He was part of Afghanistan’s historic rise through the World Cricket League divisions between 2008 and 2009, playing a key role in their promotion to ODI status. In Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI in April 2009 against Scotland, Nabi scored 58 and was named Player of the Match.

He captained Afghanistan during the 2014 Asia Cup, where Afghanistan secured a historic win over Bangladesh, an achievement that inspired the next generation. Later, he also led the national team in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Although he later stepped down from captaincy, he remained a vital all-rounder for the national side. 

Mohammad Nabi’s Test Career (2018-2019)

Mohammad Nabihad a brief but historically significant Test career for Afghanistan, featuring in the nation’s first three matches in the longest format. He made his debut in Afghanistan’s inaugural Test against India in June 2018 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In a challenging match that ended inside two days, Nabi stood out with the bat, top-scoring for Afghanistan in the first innings with 24 runs in difficult batting conditions.

In March 2019, Nabi played a key role in Afghanistan’s maiden Test victory during the one-off match against Ireland in Dehradun. Months later, he played his final Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, a match that marked both an emotional and successful end to his red-ball career. 

Nabi announced his retirement from Test cricket during the game, stating his intention to focus on extending his white-ball career and mentoring the next generation. He signed off in style, taking four wickets as Afghanistan sealed a commanding 224-run victory.

His decision to retire was strategic, as Afghanistan was not part of the inaugural World Test Championship, making limited-overs cricket a greater priority at that stage of his career. In his farewell Test, captain Rashid Khan dedicated his Player of the Match award to Nabi, recognising his leadership and influence in shaping Afghanistan’s spin-bowling legacy.

Mohammad Nabi’s ODI Career

Mohammad Nabi has enjoyed the longest and one of the most decorated ODI careers in Afghanistan’s history, stretching from the nation’s very first ODI in 2009. 

For more than a decade and a half, he has evolved from a pioneering figure in Afghanistan’s rise to a seasoned match-winner and mentor, consistently contributing with both bat and ball. Nabi has established himself among a rare group of cricketers worldwide to have surpassed 3,500 runs and taken more than 175 wickets in ODIs, underlining his status as a genuine modern-day all-rounder.

In 2018, he became the first Afghan player to reach both 100 ODI matches and 100 ODI wickets. Even in the latter stages of his career, Nabi continued to reach new heights. In February 2024, at the age of 39, he made history by becoming the oldest player ever to top the ICC ODI All-Rounder Rankings, overtaking Tillakaratne Dilshan in the record books.

One of the defining moments of his ODI batting career came in 2024 when he scored a magnificent 136 against Sri Lanka, his highest score in the format. That innings featured a 242-run partnership with Azmatullah Omarzai for the sixth wicket, which stands as the second-highest stand for that wicket in ODI history.

In February 2025, Nabi added another remarkable chapter to his career by debuting in the ICC Champions Trophy at the age of 40, becoming the oldest player from a Test-playing nation to do so. 

Regarding his future, Nabi had initially planned to retire from ODI cricket after the 2025 Champions Trophy to focus solely on T20Is. However, he reversed that decision, choosing instead to remain available for ODIs on a selective basis. His renewed motivation stems from a deeply personal ambition — to one day represent Afghanistan in international cricket alongside his 19-year-old son, Hassan Eisakhil.

Mohammad Nabi’s T20I Career

Mohammad Nabi is the most experienced player in Afghanistan’s T20I history, having played in the nation’s very first match in the format in 2010. Over the years, he has been a constant presence in Afghanistan’s white-ball setup, shaping the team’s identity as a fearless and competitive T20 side. 

A major milestone in his T20I career came in September 2025, when he claimed his 100th T20I wicket by dismissing Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman. This achievement placed him among an elite group of true all-rounders who have excelled in both disciplines at the highest level. Beyond statistics, Nabi’s value has always extended to his calm leadership, tactical awareness, and ability to perform under pressure.

Nabi has also played a central role in Afghanistan’s leadership in the shortest format. He captained the side in three ICC T20 World Cups — in 2014, 2021, and 2022 — guiding a relatively young team through some of the biggest stages in world cricket. Although he stepped down from the captaincy after the 2022 edition, he has remained a senior figure in the dressing room, mentoring younger players and shaping team culture.

One of the most remarkable aspects of his career is his unique “45-nation” record. After Afghanistan’s historic win over Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Nabi held the distinction of having been part of victories against 45 different nations in international cricket. He also holds the record for the fastest T20I half-century by an Afghan player.

Mohammad Nabi’s IPL Career

Mohammad Nabi occupies a special place in Indian Premier League history as the first cricketer from Afghanistan to be bought at an IPL auction. His entry into the league in 2017 was not just a personal milestone but a landmark moment for Afghan cricket, paving the way for the next generation of Afghan stars to showcase their talent on the world’s biggest T20 stage. 

Nabi’s IPL journey began in 2017 when Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him at his base price of INR 30 lakhs. Initially used sparingly, he gradually became a trusted squad member across five seasons with the franchise. His most productive campaign came in 2019, when he featured in eight matches and took 8 wickets, including a career-best spell of 4 for 11 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

While he was not always a guaranteed starter due to overseas combination constraints, his presence added depth and tactical flexibility to the Sunrisers' setup until 2021.

Ahead of the 2022 season, Nabi moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders after being bought for INR 1 crore at the auction. Although he did not get game time that year due to team balance and selection choices, his signing reflected the respect he commanded as a seasoned campaigner with leadership qualities and big-match temperament.

After a brief absence from the playing XI, Nabi returned to IPL action in 2024 with the Mumbai Indians, appearing in 7 matches. Deployed as a senior off-spinning all-rounder, he provided control in the middle overs and experience in a relatively young squad, reinforcing his value beyond just statistics and was also retained for the 2026 IPL Season.

(As of February 2026)