All-rounder Mohammad Nabi has decided to step down as Afghanistan captain following his side’s four-run loss to Australia in Adelaide in the Super 12 fixture of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. On Friday, after Afghanistan’s defeat against Australia, Mohammad Nabi announced the big news, saying he “will continue to play for the country when the management and team need.”
After the game, Nabi took to his Twitter and wrote: “Our T20 World Cup journey came to an end, with the result that not us nor our supporters were expecting. We are as frustrated as you are with the outcome of matches.”
In his Tweet, Nabi also made it clear that he was not on the same page with the national selectors and also accepted that the team’s preparation was not to a level that a captain would want or need for a big tournament. He wrote:
“From the last one year, our team’s preparation was not to a level that a captain would want it or needed for a big tournament. Moreover, in some of the last tours, the team manager, selection committee, and I were not on the same page, which had implications on the team balance,”
He added: “Therefore, with due respect, effective immediately, I announce to step down as a captain and will continue to play for my country when the management and team need me,”
Afghanistan cricket team had a rather disappointing campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2-22, having registered 3 defeats and 2 wash-outs. In his tweet, Nabi further thanked everyone for their support and love. He wrote: “I thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart who came to the grounds despite matches being affected by the rain and those who supported us worldwide, your love truly means a lot to us. We are as frustrated as you are with the outcome of the matches,”
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) November 4, 2022
Nabi took over the captaincy of the Afghanistan cricket team for the first time in 2013. Under his leadership, the Afghanistan side registered 16 T20Is and 13 ODIs. So far, he has slammed 601 runs from 28 ODIs and 422 runs from 35 T20Is. Apart from this, he has picked 47 wickets while leading the national cricket team.
