Sport
Mohammad Nabi quits as Afghanistan T20 captain
Mohammad Nabi has stepped down as Afghanistan captain citing his disappointment at the team’s preparation for the T20 World Cup and disagreements with the selectors and management.
Afghanistan finished their campaign with three defeats from their five matches while they were unlucky that two of their games were rained out. Nabi announced his resignation after Afghanistan’s narrow defeat to Australia in their last game of the tournament on Friday.
Nabi, 37, took over as captain before the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE after Rashid Khan’s own resignation. Nabi had previously also been named captain in 2010, replacing batter Nawroz Mangal.
Rashid announced he had quit the role shortly after the selectors had named their squad for that 2021 event, saying he had not been consulted.
Nabi’s latest tenure lasted 23 completed games, with 10 wins and 13 defeats. Afghanistan won their initial group at the Asia Cup immediately before the T20 World Cup, but then lost all three games at the Super Four stage and have now lost their last six completed matches.
“Our T20 World Cup journey came to an end, with a result that not us nor our supporters were expecting,” Nabi wrote in a statement posted on his Twitter account. “We are as frustrated as you are with the outcome of matches.
“From the last one year, our team preparation was not to a level that a captain would want it or needed for a big tournament. Moreover, in some of the last tours the team management, selection committee and I were not on the same page which had implications on the team balance.
“Therefore, with due respect, effectively immediately I announce to STEP DOWN as a CAPTAIN & will continue to play for my country when the management & team need me.
“I thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart who came to the grounds despite matches being affected by the rain and those who supporters us worldwide, your love truly means a lot to us. Long live Afghanistan.”
Nabi is part of the golden generation of Afghanistan players that helped the team rise through the ranks and finally claim Test status in 2017. He led his country in 28 ODIs and 35 T20Is, making a combined 1023 runs and picking up 47 wickets.
Sport
ACB holds high-level meeting with new national team head coach
Officials exchanged views on preparation structures, player management, and coordination between departments ahead of future international assignments.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has held a comprehensive introductory meeting with newly appointed national team head coach Richard Pybus, bringing together senior officials and key technical departments to discuss the future direction of Afghan cricket.
The meeting was led by ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan and included heads of domestic cricket, international cricket, the selection committee, and the high-performance centre. National team captains Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ibrahim Zadran also took part in the discussions.
According to the board, the first part of the session focused on outlining the long-term strategic vision for Afghanistan cricket, including performance goals and development pathways for the national team.
The head coach then led detailed technical discussions with department heads, seeking input on planning and execution for the upcoming national team training camp in Kabul. Officials exchanged views on preparation structures, player management, and coordination between departments ahead of future international assignments.
The ACB described the meeting as productive, noting that it reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between coaching staff and technical units as the team prepares for a busy international schedule.
Afghanistan’s under-17 national football team concluded their 2026 CAFA U-17 Championship campaign with a 3–2 defeat against Tajikistan in their final match.
The team had previously registered two losses and one draw in their earlier three fixtures of the tournament.
The Central Asian competition, featuring five countries including Afghanistan, is being hosted by Uzbekistan and is scheduled to conclude on April 13.
The championship serves as a development platform for youth football in the region, offering players valuable international exposure while allowing national federations to evaluate emerging talent.
Fans across Afghanistan can follow the matches live on Ariana Television.
Richard Pybus, newly appointed head coach of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team, has arrived in Kabul to oversee the team’s upcoming skill development and training camp, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced on Saturday.
He was welcomed by Naseeb Khan, Chief Executive Officer of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, who outlined the board’s strategic priorities and expressed high expectations for the team under the new coaching leadership.
During his first visit to the Afghan capital, Pybus held a series of meetings with officials from the Selection Committee, International and Domestic Cricket departments, and the High-Performance Center. He was joined by national team captains Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ibrahim Zadran, with discussions focusing on upcoming fixtures under the Future Tours Programme (FTP), team strategies, and preparations for the training camp.
According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, a month-long camp involving nearly 40 players will be conducted under the supervision of the High-Performance Center and the head coach. The camp is scheduled to begin on April 12 and will run until May 16.
The training program is aimed at preparing the national side for its upcoming Test match and a three-match One Day International (ODI) series against India National Cricket Team.
Saar: New Afghanistan–Uzbekistan trade agreement discussed
NATO allies reject US Hormuz blockade, push for diplomatic solution
Conflict with Pakistan deepens challenges for Afghan women, report finds
RCB, Gujarat Titans secure wins in Sunday IPL double-header
Afghanistan–Uzbekistan forum secures $520 million in trade and investment deals
IEA Supreme Leader issues Eid-ul-Fitr message urging unity and support for Islamic system
IEA supreme leader orders replacement of foreign terminology in official documents
Turkmenistan, Afghanistan discuss steps to speed up land acquisition for TAPI pipeline
IPL 2026 kicks off in under two weeks; Afghan players set to shine
Afghanistan hosts inaugural Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation
Saar: New Afghanistan–Uzbekistan trade agreement discussed
Tahawol: Failure of US–Iran talks in Islamabad discussed
Saar: Iran–US talks in Islamabad end inconclusive
Tahawol: Historic US-Iran talks in Pakistan discussed
Saar: Talks between Iran and US in Pakistan discussed
-
Business3 days agoEtihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
-
International Sports4 days agoIPL 2026: Gujarat Titans edge Delhi Capitals in last-ball thriller
-
International Sports4 days agoFIFA appoints record number of match officials for 2026 World Cup
-
Regional4 days agoIsrael prepares for long conflict despite US–Iran ceasefire efforts
-
Latest News4 days agoUS explores third-country resettlement for stranded Afghan allies in Qatar
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan faces economic strains following a ‘series of shocks’ last year
-
Latest News3 days agoUK backs Afghanistan–Pakistan talks, calls dialogue key to lasting peace
-
Sport4 days agoATN seals Ariana Snooker Championship deal for five seasons