Richard Pybus, the head coach of Afghanistan’s cricket team, expressed confidence in veteran player Mohammad Nabi’s ability to contribute significantly in shorter formats of the game.
Pybus praised Nabi as a disciplined and professional athlete, despite the fact that he has lost his place in the T20 squad for the upcoming triangular series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, leading to speculation about the end of his T20 career.
“I believe Nabi still has a lot to offer in the formats he is available for,” Pybus said. “He is a tremendous cricketer who maintains himself in excellent shape. His discipline is noteworthy, and his record with Afghanistan is exceptional. He commands great respect, not only for his past performances but also for his professional conduct. He works diligently.”
Discussing Nabi’s physical condition, Pybus noted that although Nabi is an experienced player, he remains in impressive shape. “This is genuinely positive to see,” he added. “Like any cricketer, continuous good performance is essential, and Nabi understands this as well as anyone. I truly believe he still has much to achieve. As you grow older, the key factors are hunger and desire. I want to see his career progress, and I am eager to work with him.”
Before the triangular series, Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in a Test match from October 9 to 13 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Pybus remarked that this Test match, following Bangladesh’s historic series win against Australia, will provide an opportunity for his team to assess their standing in Test cricket.
“It’s encouraging that our players are coming off a first-class red-ball competition in Afghanistan,” he noted. “We have many players who are accustomed to the long format, gaining the necessary cricket fitness and spending time on the field and wickets. We are genuinely focusing on how to develop our game, enhance our cricket awareness, and manage aspects like innings construction as we continue to evolve as a Test team.”