IND vs AFG: At 39, Nabi embodies Afghanistan’s never-give-up perspective

Mohammad Nabi is a globe-trotting cricketer. Apart from being a seasoned campaigners for the Afghanistan crew, the 39-year-old all-rounder has featured for 34 golf equipment and franchises the world over over time, which has not solely added to his illustrious resume, however has additionally made him one of the trusted all-rounders.

He walked the speak on the IS Bindra Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday as he helped Afghanistan regroup with a stable knock, paving the way in which for the crew’s aggressive complete of 158 for 5 within the first T20I towards India.

Though he fell eight runs in need of a fifty, his innings ensured Afghanistan amassed 110 runs within the final 10 overs after a slowish begin.

When Nabi walked out to bat at No. 4, Afghanistan misplaced fast wickets and the seasoned campaigner shortly put his foot on the accelerator, guaranteeing a fightback and forging an important 68-run stand with Azmatullah Omarzai. The spotlight of his innings was consecutive sixes within the fifteenth over off Mukesh Kumar, and he performed these photographs with ease, leaving the bowler baffled.

Though Afghanistan did not defend its complete, Nabi’s innings was a sign that his crew by no means believes in giving up.

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“Nabi has been around international cricket, around the Afghanistan side of the franchise cricket for a long time, so in this format of the game, he knows his role really well,” mentioned Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott.

Watching the proceedings from the dugout, Trott was impressed with the way in which Nabi timed the ball and took management of issues after a sluggish begin.

“He came in and right from the start, timed the ball really nicely. It’s always nice to have him batting in the middle or out there controlling the innings with his tempo and his sort of experience. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get a few extra runs and get past 50 today, but hopefully in the next game,” Trott mentioned.

Then, what makes Nabi so particular in white-ball format?

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“He has a nice calmness to himself when he is out in the middle, which seems to rub off on everyone else,” mentioned Trott.

And, that displays each time he bails his crew out of the woods, and as Trott identified, “When he gets in full flow, there’s not many better hitters of the cricket ball…”

In his 113 T20I outings, Nabi has scored 1,919 runs at a median of twenty-two.57 and a strike price of 139.05. He has been efficient with the ball as effectively, claiming 88 wickets.

Having been within the Afghanistan set-up for years – in numerous capacities – Nabi understands what’s anticipated from him, and each time he dons the nationwide colors and walks within the center, he proves a degree.