Mohammad Nabi Praises BCCI Support for Afghanistan Cricket
Mohammad Nabi praised the BCCI for giving Afghanistan cricket “a lot of exposure,” highlighting the impact of India’s support on the team’s growth and success. Speaking during the ongoing ILT20 2025-26, the veteran all-rounder shared insights on Afghanistan’s journey from humble beginnings to playing at the highest level. Nabi emphasized how the experience gained from Indian cricket, including the IPL, has strengthened Afghanistan’s national team.
BCCI’s Crucial Role in Afghanistan Cricket Development
Mohammad Nabi credited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with significant contributions to Afghanistan cricket. “BCCI helped a lot during that journey. The Indian government built a ground in Kandahar. Most of the players are also playing in the IPL. Last year, around 9-10 players played in the IPL. They gave us a lot of exposure, and the experience we gained from that has helped us on the national team as well,” Nabi said.
The support from India has allowed Afghan cricketers to gain valuable exposure in subcontinental conditions, helping them adapt to high-pressure tournaments and enhancing their skill levels on the international stage.
Afghanistan Cricket’s Remarkable Journey
The 40-year-old all-rounder reflected on Afghanistan’s progress over the past two decades. “It’s been a long journey since 2001; now it’s 2025. It’s been like 24 years of bringing Afghanistan cricket to this stage, starting from zero. I’m really happy, and I’m still enjoying my cricket as well. It’s a lot of up and down in the middle, and now it’s at a high level of cricket in Afghanistan,” Nabi said.
He highlighted the team’s achievements, including multiple World Cup appearances and reaching a semifinal in the ICC World Cup, noting the country’s cricket infrastructure and talent development have come a long way.
IPL Experience Strengthening Afghanistan Squad
Nabi underlined the importance of Afghan players participating in the Indian Premier League. Many players have already featured in IPL matches, gaining experience in subcontinental pitches and high-pressure scenarios. This exposure, he said, will be crucial in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
“We will try our best in this ICC T20 World Cup 2026 because the conditions will be suitable for the Afghanistan players. Also, many players have played many IPL games in these conditions. Hopefully, we do better than we did at the last World Cup,” he added.
Looking Ahead to ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Afghanistan is preparing to make a mark in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Nabi emphasized that familiarity with subcontinental conditions and the experience gained in the IPL will give Afghanistan a competitive advantage. The team aims to improve upon its previous World Cup performance and showcase its growing cricketing prowess.
ICC World Test Championship Expansion
The veteran cricketer also commented on the upcoming expansion of the ICC World Test Championship, which is expected to include Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, replacing the divisive two-tier system with a unified league.
“It will be great to play the ICC World Test Championship. Hopefully, we do well. It will be a great experience to play with the high-level test teams,” Nabi said. This development offers Afghanistan the chance to compete regularly against established Test nations, providing invaluable exposure and further growth opportunities for the team.
Afghanistan Cricket’s Bright Future
Mohammad Nabi’s reflections emphasize how international collaboration, IPL exposure, and consistent domestic development are helping Afghanistan reach new heights in cricket. With strong leadership, emerging talent, and experience in top leagues, Afghanistan cricket is poised to continue its rise on the global stage.
The veteran all-rounder’s comments underscore a broader narrative: Afghanistan’s journey in cricket is one of resilience, gradual progress, and growing international competitiveness, driven by support from cricketing nations like India and platforms such as the IPL.
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