Veteran All-Rounder Mohammad Nabi Still Valuable Asset for Afghanistan: Coach Richard Pybus

Mohammad Nabi, 41, has been excluded from Afghanistan’s upcoming T20I series in Zimbabwe following a lackluster performance against India last month. The experienced all-rounder struggled with both bat and ball during the three-match T20I series, scoring 8, 20, and 33 runs while failing to take any wickets.

Nevertheless, Nabi maintains his position in the ODI squad for an upcoming triangular series featuring Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to utilizing the veteran until the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus continues to support Nabi’s ongoing contributions across multiple formats.

“I think Nabi’s got something to contribute in the formats which he’s available for,” Pybus said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Nabi’s physical conditioning is a big strength: Pybus

Pybus specifically highlighted Nabi’s physical conditioning as a standout attribute. GPS tracking technology revealed that despite his age, Nabi maintained excellent fitness levels throughout training sessions and competitive matches. While the coach emphasized that consistency remains crucial at the international level, he expressed strong confidence in Nabi’s continued value to the team.

“In terms of his physical conditioning even though he’s a mature cricketer, he really is in good shape and it was really positive to see. We get the data back when we’re tracking the guys with the GPS and he held up really well,” Pybus said.

Afghanistan’s Test cricket preparation

Afghanistan is set to host Bangladesh for a single Test match beginning October 9 in Abu Dhabi, marking an important opportunity to evaluate the team’s red-ball capabilities. Bangladesh enters the fixture following a successful tour of Australia, creating a formidable challenge for Pybus’s squad as they advance their Test cricket development.

“Now coming and playing against Bangladesh who are coming off a successful tour to Australia is a good opportunity for us to check in where we’re at in Test format,” Pybus said.

Pybus detailed Afghanistan’s strategic methodology for Test cricket growth, emphasizing the significance of individual match awareness and proper innings construction. He acknowledged that competing against seasoned international bowlers demands a fundamentally different approach compared to domestic-level cricket.

“It is more about our preparation. You know, when you’re facing quick bowlers, whether they be right or left or whether they’re pace or swing, you know this isn’t club cricket. I mean, these guys are experienced cricketers. It’s us really focusing on how we develop our own games, our own cricket awareness, and managing that, looking at things like innings construction as we continue to develop as a Test side. Innings construction not only as a team, but also as individuals,” Pybus said.

Source link