Former Mumbai Indians Star Makes U-Turn on Quitting ODIs After Champions Trophy 2025 To Play With His Son

Mohammad Nabi’s Plans for Retirement and Champions Trophy 2025 Preparation

Afghanistan’s experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, at the age of 40, has been reconsidering his decision to retire from ODIs after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Initially planning to retire following the tournament, Nabi now has a new goal of playing international cricket alongside his son, 18-year-old Hassan Eisakhil, who is making strides in the cricketing world.

Key Points about Mohammad Nabi’s Career Plans:

• Reconsidering Retirement: Nabi had initially announced his retirement plans after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, but now he is uncertain about retiring immediately. He mentioned that while he may play fewer ODIs to give younger players opportunities, his future decisions will be based on his fitness. “These might not be my last ODIs… I will probably play fewer ODIs and give chances to the youngsters to build experience… It will depend on my fitness,” said Nabi.
• Dream to Play with His Son: Mohammed Nabi expressed his strong desire to represent Afghanistan with his son, Hassan Eisakhil. Eisakhil, who performed well in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, is being mentored by Nabi, and the veteran all-rounder is pushing him to set higher goals. “It’s my dream. Hopefully we can do it. He is doing very well… he is a hard worker, and I’m also pushing him to do work,” Nabi shared.
• Encouraging Hard Work: Nabi emphasized the importance of hard work and setting ambitious goals for success. He advised his son that in order to become a top-level cricketer, it’s not enough to make a modest score but to consistently aim for higher achievements. “If you want to get to be a high-level cricketer, you have to work hard,” he added.

Mohammad Nabi’s Preparations for the ICC ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

• Training Sessions: Nabi is satisfied with his preparations for the Champions Trophy. He had three training sessions with the Afghanistan national team in Abu Dhabi, ensuring that he is in peak physical condition ahead of the tournament. “The preparations for the Champions Trophy have been good. I did three sessions with the national team in Abu Dhabi,,, so I’m in good shape,” Nabi said.
• Confidence Boost from BPL Victory: Nabi’s victory in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with Fortune Barisal added to his confidence. He contributed both with the bat and ball, particularly helping his team finish crucial matches during the tournament. This success has boosted his morale going into the Champions Trophy. “Winning the BPL gave me more confidence… In the whole tournament, we did really well and my performances were good as well,” said Nabi.

Afghanistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule:

• Afghanistan vs South Africa – Karachi, February 21 (Group B Match)
• Afghanistan vs England – Lahore, February 26
• Afghanistan vs Australia – Lahore, February 28

Conclusion:

Mohammad Nabi is not ready to retire just yet, as his dream of playing international cricket with his son motivates him to extend his career. With solid preparations and a boost in confidence from his recent BPL success, Nabi will aim to make a significant impact for Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His experience and leadership will be crucial as Afghanistan faces strong teams like South Africa, England, and Australia in their group.