Kabul: Former skipper and talented all-rounder Mohammed Nabi took over the captaincy of Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team for the forthcoming T20 World Cup, which will begin on October 17. It happened after Afghan player Rashid Khan stepped down from the captainship on Thursday.
Nabi’s nomination as captain is yet to be officially announced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), but the 36-year-old all-rounder tweeted that he has been picked to lead the team.
“At this critical stage, I admire the decision of ACB for the announcement of leading the National Cricket Team in T20 Format,” the 36-year-old Nabi tweeted.
“… we will present a great picture of the Nation in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” said the spin-baller.
At this critical stage, I admire the decision of ACB for the announcement of leading the National Cricket Team in T20 Format. InshaAllah together we will present a great picture of the Nation in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) September 9, 2021
Yesterday world’s top-ranked T20 bowler Rashid Khan stepped down as captain, only minutes after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) released the T20 World Cup team.
“The selection committee and ACB did not acquire my agreement for the team that was announced by ACB media,” Afghan cricketer Khan stated.
🙏🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/zd9qz8Jiu0
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) September 9, 2021
According to ESPNcricinfo, Nabi, who previously captained Afghanistan, will now head the team. While veterans Shapoor Zadran and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad, as well as injury-prone fast bowler Hamid Hassan, had been chosen for Afghanistan’s team.
“The selection committee and ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board) has not obtained my consent for the team which has been announced by ACB media,” Rashid said in a tweet, moments after the ACB tweeted the 18-member squad and also named two reserve players.
“As the captain and responsible person for the nation I reserve the right to be part of the selection of the team,” Rashid said. “I am taking the decision of stepping down from the role as the captain of Afghanistan T20 side effective immediately.”
Afghanistan has qualified directly for the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage and is in Group 2 with Pakistan, New Zealand, and the two qualifiers.
Squad: Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Ghani, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen ul Haq, Hamid Hassan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Qais Ahmad.
Reserves: Afsar Zazai, Farid Ahmad Malik.
