Mohammad Nabi Delays Retirement, Wants to Play With Son in ODIs for Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s star cricketer Mohammad Nabi has surprised everyone with his decision to continue playing One Day Internationals (ODIs) beyond the 2025 Champions Trophy. The 40-year-old all-rounder initially planned to retire after the tournament, but now he wants to extend his career for a special reason—playing alongside his son, Hassan Eisakhil.

Nabi’s Dream to Play With His Son

Nabi, who has played 170 ODIs for Afghanistan, revealed his new goal while speaking to the ICC. He said he might reduce his ODI appearances but is keen to stay fit and available for big matches.

“These might not be my last ODIs (the Champions Trophy), and I will probably play fewer ODIs and give chances to youngsters. But in high-level games, maybe or maybe not, we’ll see. It will depend on my fitness,” Nabi said.

For him, playing for Afghanistan with his son would be a proud moment.

“It’s my dream (to play together for the country), and hopefully, we can do it. He (Eisakhil) is doing very well. He is a hard worker, and I’m also pushing him to improve,” he added.

Mohammad Nabi’s ODI Journey

Nabi made his ODI debut in 2009 against Scotland and last played a 50-over match in December 2024 against Zimbabwe. His next match will be on February 21, 2025, when Afghanistan takes on South Africa in the Champions Trophy.

Afghanistan will be playing in this tournament for the first time. They are placed in Group B alongside England, Australia, and South Africa. They qualified for the event after finishing sixth in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Hassan Eisakhil is the son of Mohammad Nabi. Unlike his father, who is an all-rounder, Hassan is a batter. He represented Afghanistan’s Under-19 team in the 2024 U-19 World Cup.

If Nabi continues to play for a few more years, he might get a chance to share the field with his son.