Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan’s captain, sobbed during the national anthem before his team’s match against Scotland in Sharjah on October 25.
Nabi took over as Afghanistan’s captain after Rashid Khan stepped down following the announcement of the 18-man T20 World Cup roster by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Afghanistan qualified for the multi-team competition. By virtue of being one of the top ten rated teams in the ICC Twenty20I rankings this year.
They played two warm-up games in the lead-up: one against South Africa, which they lost by 41 runs, and another against the West Indies, which they defeated by 56 runs.
Mohammad Nabi was named Afghanistan’s skipper days before World T20
Nabi is guiding the squad in a big ICC event for the first time.
“As the captain and responsible person for the nation, I reserve the right to be part of the selection of the team.
“The selection committee and ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board) has not obtained my consent for the team which has been announced by ACB media.
“I am taking the decision of stepping down from the role of captain of Afghanistan T20 side effective immediately. It’s always my pride playing for Afghanistan,” he said on Twitter.
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— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) September 9, 2021
In July of this year, Rashid was appointed as the team’s captain, with Najibullah Zadran as his deputy. Rashid has earlier stated that he did not want to take on the captaincy. Because he believed it would negatively impact his game.
“I am very much clear in my mind that I am better off as a player. I am good in the role as vice-captain and help the captain wherever I am needed.
“It’s better for me that I stay away from this position. I am afraid it might affect my performance for the team which is a key so I am very happy as a player,
And whatever the decision board and selection committee make I am fully behind it and will appreciate it,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
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