Mohammad-Nabi-to-lead-Afghanistan

Picture Credit: Twitter

All-rounder Mohammad Nabi is set to lead Afghanistan for the forthcoming T20 World Cup after Rashid Khan decided to step down from the role on Thursday. The star leg-spinner had opted to step down minutes after the squad was announced with him as the skipper, claiming that his "consent" was not obtained before announcing the squad for the world event set to be held in UAE and Oman.

Consequently, the management is looking at Nabi, who is an experienced campaigner and has led the national side in the past. The same was confirmed in a report carried by ESPNCricinfo.

"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 has not obtained my consent for the team which has been announced by ACB media," Rashid said in a statement on Twitter.

"I am taking the decision of stepping down from the role as the captain of Afghanistan T20 side effective immediately. It's Always my proud playing for Afghanistan," he added.

Here is what Rashid Kahn tweeted:

While wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Shahzad also found his name in the squad, Afsar Zazai and Farid Ahmad Malik were named as the reserve players.

Afghanistan have been drawn in Group B along with India, Pakistan, New Zealand and two more teams who will secure qualification after Round 1. While as many as 8 teams - India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Afghanistan - have already booked their sport for Super 12, 4 top teams from the qualifying round- 2 each in Group A and Group B- will join them in Super 12. Afghanistan is all set to play their first match on October 25. They will then take on Pakistan on October 29.

In view of the recent turn of events, Nabi also posted a tweet recently, admiring the cricket board of Afghanistan for announcing the squad for T20 World Cup.

"At this critical stage, I admire the decision of ACB for the announcement of leading the National Cricket Team in T20 Format. InshaAllah together we will present a great picture of the Nation in the upcoming T20 World Cup," he wrote.

Here is Nabi's tweet:

Afghanistan's T20 World Cup: Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Ghani, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen ul Haq, Hamid Hassan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Qais Ahmed