Months after announcing that ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be the last he'll play ODIs, Afghanistan's veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has expressed interest to play international cricket alongside his son, Hassan Eisakhil. Nabi made the announcement after Afghanistan's 2-1 series win over Bangladesh in the UAE but now has a change of plan.
"These might not be my last ODIs, I will probably play less ODIs and give chances to the youngsters to build experience," Nabi told the ICC. "I've discussed with the senior players and in the high-level games, maybe or maybe not, we'll see. It will depend on my fitness."
Nabi's 18-year-old son, Eisakhil, is yet to make his debut in international cricket. He represented Afghanistan in the Under-19 World Cup 2024.
"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.
"I want him to make his own goals, if you want to get to be a high-level cricketer, you have to work hard. It's not enough to make 50 or 60, you have to score 100-plus. He's listening and pushing all the time. When he can talk to me, I try to give him advice to give him confidence for the game."
Nabi confident ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
After making it to the semifinals in ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2025, Nabi is confident that he will do good in Champions Trophy 2025.
"The preparations for the Champions Trophy have been good," Nabi said. "I've been busy playing in the Bangladesh Premier League, was a champion over there. I did three sessions with the national team in Abu Dhabi so I'm in good shape.
"Winning the BPL gave me more confidence, from a tough position in the final. In the whole tournament, we did really well and my performances were good as well, bowling and also batting, I helped finish the job in four or five matches."
Afghanistan will go up against South Africa in their campaign opener at National Stadium, Karachi on February 21.